Hypothermia the big concern

Tampa, Florida -- As most people know, hypothermia can lead to death, which is why time is so critical in finding Marquis Cooper, Corey Smith and Will Bleakley.

Officials say the water temperature where the men capsized was around 62 degrees. The U.S. Search and Rescue Task Force says a person can survive in water at that temperature anywhere from 2 to 40 hours.

Monday night, more than 48 hours after Marquis Cooper's boat capsized, Capt. Mark Bogush with Tampa Fire Rescue said chances of Cooper and the other 2 men surviving was "thin".

"We know now that the boat's been found. So, we know that they are not on the boat, not out of the water and just that fact that they're in the water exposed to that 62 degree water, it just really, really makes their chances of survival extremely thin. But, you know, rescuers never like to give up hope," Bogush said.

Contrary to popular belief, Bogush also says moving around in the water does not keep the body warm like it might on land. In fact, he says just the opposite occurs.

"So, a lot of people think [that you're] exercising or you're swimming, moving your legs and so forth in the water, that that helps to build body heat. Well, really what it does is the body heat that you build up, the water just takes right out of you."

The UUSARTF adds that what many people also don't realize is that cold water robs the body's heat 32-times faster than cold air.

For more information on cold water survival, click here.