[pct-l] physiologic effects of icy cold immersion

[Stephen]

You are not kidding .  I suggest everyone jump in one of those high country 
lakes, what I call strip and dip.  Just jump.  It's better to know and what 
to expect.  And even when you expect it, it's still a shock.  My fave is 
Wanda Lake or one of the Darwin chain.  That wonderful dip I describe to 
friends as, "I bounced off."  It takes a lot of will to get one's breath and 
to tell the truth, I can't say I remember catching my breath until I'm out 
and hoping I don't get an instantaneous ice cream headache.  The legs in the 
water is one thing, the torso is a whole different deal.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <kmurray at pol.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:41 PM
Subject: [pct-l] physiologic effects of icy cold immersion


I think that people do not appreciate the complicating factors of
immersion in freezing cold water.  From the posts I see, people talk about
how they will deal with the problem, not actually knowing what will happen
to your body BEYOND YOUR CONTROL.

The most immediate effect is instant, uncontrolled gasping and rapid
breathing.  If your head is below the water, YOU WILL INHALE WATER, AND
CANNOT STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING.    Blind survival panic will be all that
will be in your head.

What people do in this circumstance, is to claw their way to the
surface....it is instinctual, not reasoned thinking.  YOU WILL NOT STOP
TRYING TO PREVENT YOUSELF FROM DROWNING TO UNCLICK YOUR PACK STRAPS.  You
will not be thinking, at all.

Something to consider:  the research that determines that these things
will happen, predicts this happening in people immersed suddenly in water
under SIXTY degrees.  So think how much amplified this is in snow-fed
nearly freezing water.  This is serious stuff.

Some references on this:
http://www.seakayak.ws/kayak/kayak.nsf/0/9ABAF7D7992B820585256A640054C71F

http://wintersport.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_survive_coldwater_immersion

http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/sea-kayaking/40-What-is-cold-shock.html

"Cold shock is the body's reaction to the shock of cold water. During cold
weather boating all persons on board should wear life jackets. Cold shock
from falling into icy water can trigger an involuntary gasping reflex that
will cause you to inhale water through your mouth. Without a life jacket a
person can drown without ever coming back to the surface. Wearing your
life jacket will increase the likelihood of survival if you should
accidentally fall into the cold winter water. Cold shock may also result
in cardiac arrest. "



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