Nick says: What they show is hypothermia is not the biggest threat in cold water. Your body starts failing you in a variety of different ways well before real hypothermia comes into full effect. Cold water shock and loss of strength may be enough drown you before you succumb to hypothermia.B B This does not change the real risks of cold water or the need for dressing for the water temperature, but being better informed on what is actually going on is usefulB >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What's interesting to me is that with all the winter time paddling going on, there are a few blown rolls and swims. Harder to keep your head when the ears are flushed with ice cold water and the air temps are still in the 30's. Lots of folks I know to have a good roll, swim more in the winter. I'm more conservative in the winter and the few rolls necessary this year were quick affairs. I don't like paddling with balaclavas and dive hoods, just a thin neoprene cap under my helmet and ear plugs. I think more than hypothermia, what happens more to people's psyche is hammered with cold water shock combined with whatever else is thrown at them. Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** 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 Thu Mar 05 2009 - 19:07:51 PST
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