Hayward's early experiments at the University of Victoria suggested longer than expected (but still far less than what the general population thought) swim times/distance based on the slow, but steady drop in body core temperatures. More recent research has shown that in cold water (12 Celcius I think), swimming failure occurs at less than 50% the distance Hayward indicated (2000 plus meters at the given temperature they measured, versus the actual 800 plus meters now indicated). Loss of dexterity was a large factor, and of course more rapid core cooling. Immersion apparel and flotation are cited as critical to survival time in cold water. Nothing really new here for Paddlewise readers, other than a reminder that "swimming failure" also includes inability to further tread water. PFD's do help save lives, discounting cold shock. Doug L > It is reported that: > > 55% of cold water deaths are due to the combination of cold shock > and subsequent swimming failure. Hypothermia, dropping core > temperature, accounts for 25% of deaths and 20% of deaths are > due to "post rescue collapse", the effects of pulling a chilled > individual out of the water improperly and other effects of lung > damage, and damage to the blood vascular system etc. snip *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Mar 25 2007 - 23:57:25 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:23 PDT