Final answer:
The position used to minimize heat loss when fallen overboard into cold water is called the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP), where the individual curls up into a compact ball to protect the core body temperature and reduce surface area exposed to the cold water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The position used to minimize heat loss when fallen overboard into cold water is called the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP). In this position, the individual curls up into a compact ball to protect the core body temperature and reduce the surface area exposed to the cold water. By bringing the knees to the chest and crossing the arms tightly across the chest, heat loss through the body's extremities is minimized.
An example of this position can be seen in the excerpt from the question: 'The cook had tied a life-belt around himself in order to get even the warmth which this clumsy cork contrivance could donate, and he seemed almost stove-like when a rower, whose teeth invariably chattered wildly as soon as he ceased his labor, dropped down to sleep.'