April 8, 2006 News Conference to Warn of Cold Water Dangers

A Report on BRIAN JAMES JACOBSON Cold Water Awareness Day News Conference

by Ron Jacobson, Brian's Grandpa

This year on Saturday morning, April 8, 2006 we held a news conference to talk about the danger of cold water. We had spent many weeks preparing for the conference and timed it to be held now just as the ice cover was leaving the lakes - just as for the first time this spring there was only water showing on the lakes - dangerously cold water.

The conference was held on the shores of the Mississippi River on Harriet Island in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. It was a cool morning but a nice day. We planned to have three speakers talk about the danger of cold water and then we planned to do an experiment to show how cold water can make your muscles not work so good.

The TV and newspaper reporters came to cover the news conference. The TV stations brought their big cameras and set them up. Friends and visitors were there too.

Photo by Gare Frick

Then the news conference began. Joel Heyn of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources emceed the conference and began by explaining why we were here. He talked about the danger of cold water and how quickly it can take the life of an Olympian swimmer. Joel said that it was very important to wear a life jacket when boating. He also told everyone that Governor Tim Pawlenty and proclaimed today to be BRIAN JAMES JACOBSON Cold Water Awareness Day, a day to help youngsters understand the danger of cold water and a day to honor the memory of Brian who had drowned in cold water.

Photo by Gare Frick

Then Ron (that's me) spoke about how important for young people to know about the danger of cold water. I also spoke about our loving Grandson Brian, and how he drowned in cold water. I always think that if he had known about the danger of cold water, he might still be with us today. Then I introduced Ron Horwath of the Red Cross and talked about the experiment we were to do.

Photo by Gare Frick

The experiment was as follows: the person doing the experiment (red cross) puts his arm into the tall container of warm water and picks pennies off the bottom one at a time and puts them into the glass inside the container. He has 15 seconds to put as many as he can. This time he did ten. Then he does the same in the container with cold water. Here he does less, about six. Why?

Photo by Dave Jacobson

When the experiment was over, Ron Horwath of Red Cross talked about what happened and how it demonstrated what can happen in cold water. He also talked about his experience with cold water and how dangerous it was.

Photo by Gare Frick

In summary, Joel Heyn once again reminded everyone about the danger of cold water.

Photo by Gare Frick

After the news conference buttons were handed out as well as a special book marker. The buttons looked like this:

The new book marker has information about the danger of cold water.

Many people helped put the news conference together. Planning was begun by the coldwaterwarning.com board members: Karen Jensen, Claude Anderson, Tim O’Donnell and Ron Jacobson. Buttons, bookmarkers and posters were designed by Gare Frick who also took pictures at the news conference. Our web site was updated by Karol Jensen. Joel Heyn of the Mn DNR and Ron Horwath of the Red Cross Volunteer Water Safety Committee who participated in the conference and talked about the dangers of cold water. Tim Smalley of Mn DNR once again was our resource person and assisted in informing the media of the upcoming news conference. Governor Tim Pawlenty, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and Representative Dennis Ozment were responsible for the proclamation. Financial support came from donors who were essential to make this happen. Our many thanks to everyone – especially the media - who helped get the message out about the danger of cold water – especially to swimmers.