Re: [Paddlewise] Cold Water Gasp

From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imaginelan.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 12:34:20 -0500
Just catching up after a week on the road...

At 10:54 PM 11/15/01 -0600, Larry Koenig wrote:

>The "gasp" I've never experienced.

I've experienced the "gasp".  My canoe partner and I tipped over in probably 34 degree
water.  We hadn't been paddling hard and were not dressed for immersion.  I was in high school at the time and had no extra insulation.  The river we were on was a slow flowing river
about 35 feet wide.  I leaned over to pick up some trash...

The feeling was very similar to having the wind knocked out of you.  With the added joy
of needing to swim, a minimal distance, in that condition.

I have no interest in a repeat experience.  

The gasp, hypothermia to the point of convulsive shivering and dementia, blacking out from dehydration.  Hopefully I'm smarter now that I have experience....

kirk

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Received on Mon Nov 19 2001 - 09:32:54 PST

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