Check it:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/05/03/lbl.lynne.cox/index.html
Lynne Cox, ultraswimmer. Very interesting.
Brrr!
COX: “You feel an intense cold. In that first moment, your body is changing in huge ways. You’re shunting the blood into the core of the body to protect the heart, lungs and brain. And so you are feeling that shift. Your blood pressure is changing instantly. You’re hyperventilating. Your heart is beating very rapidly. You’re trying to compensate and trying to create heat by moving your arms really fast.”
Reminds me of my very first tri swim (water was like 61-62 degrees, not really that cold) when I was woefully underprepared for open water swimming.
Last year during my first open water practice of the year, I got hypothermic in 52 degree water in a full wetsuit. Nobody ever told me that you can get hypothermic just from head exposure. I was dizzy, nauseous, and had a headache. And I felt like that for the rest of the day. That is about the most awful I have felt in years. The strange thing is, I never really felt cold.
I really don’t know how people can swim in water that cold without wetsuits and squid lids.
I watched a documentary on this lady on National Geographic last year, the amazing thing was, as she lowered herself into the 32 degree water she didn’t even gasp for breath. Just got in and started swimming around the ice floes without missing a beat.
I think she is crazy! Of course I love to run in the lava fields at noon, who am I to judge? :~)
Aloha,
Larry
She adapts immediately just like a seal or sea lion when shunting blood to her vital organs and away from extremities. Interesting…and makes me feel like a wimp for using a wet suit in 58 Degree water…brrr LOL