Soundbites: Cold-water dangers

In spring and summer, people in Washington take the lakes and rivers for boating, swimming and other activities. Be prepared for the water's low temperatures, especially in May and June, says Michael Sayre, a physician in Harborview Medical Center's emergency department and medical director for Seattle Medic One.

"We actually have seen people actually have cardiac arrest from jumping into really cold water," Sayre says. Even more of a risk, he adds, is mixing alcohol and other drugs with water activities because those impair people's ability to respond in emergent situations.

Sayre discusses the topic in this downloadable video segment.