What action should the first minute of cold water immersion be dedicated to per the 1-10-1 Principle?

Managing the involuntary reflex by holding breath

The '1-10-1 Principle' is a safety strategy emphasizing the absolute priority during the initial moments of cold shock. The 'one' in this principle highlights the critical nature of the first 60 seconds when the violent reflexes are at their peak. During this initial minute, the sole focus must be dedicated to controlling the body's involuntary reaction—specifically, forcefully suppressing the urge to breathe rapidly and instead concentrating on slow, measured exhalations until the hyperventilation passes. Attempting any other rescue maneuver, such as swimming for shore or planning an escape, during this 60-second window drastically reduces survival odds because breathing control has not yet been achieved.