 FACT: The movie takes place in the Bering Sea. Epps is floating in  the sea prior to her rescue, yet shows no sign of the water being  cold. Even on the warmest summer day, she would likely die from  hypothermia in these waters. An average person, wearing light  clothing and a personal floatation device (PFD), may survive 2 1/2  to 3 hours in 50° F water.