Cold water immersion
Discussion
Reading the thread on the dangers of drowning in cold water and seeing people deny the existence and danger of cold water shock whilst being unable to reply is extremely frustrating.
During my physiology degree i worked with Mike Tipton at HMS Haslar in Portsmouth.
I spent many (un)happy hours floating around in a cold water tank whilst attached to ECG, respiration and skin temperature monitors and a core temperature monitor 30 cm up my rear end.
I am one of the data points in his published studies.
We measured physiological reactions to full immersion and immersion up to the chest in a helicopter crash rig as well as how these changed over time immersed. Also things like vertical and horizontal extraction, grip strength and rewarming methods.
Cold water shock does exist. It is a factor in many drowning deaths. The published peer reviewed data proves this. It's not based on anecdotes, feelings or what your mate down the pub says.
This research has saved many lives and denying it may well lead to more unnecessary deaths.
Edited for spelling
I know I don't have the right to reply in NPE but hopefully one of the mods or other users can post this there.
During my physiology degree i worked with Mike Tipton at HMS Haslar in Portsmouth.
I spent many (un)happy hours floating around in a cold water tank whilst attached to ECG, respiration and skin temperature monitors and a core temperature monitor 30 cm up my rear end.
I am one of the data points in his published studies.
We measured physiological reactions to full immersion and immersion up to the chest in a helicopter crash rig as well as how these changed over time immersed. Also things like vertical and horizontal extraction, grip strength and rewarming methods.
Cold water shock does exist. It is a factor in many drowning deaths. The published peer reviewed data proves this. It's not based on anecdotes, feelings or what your mate down the pub says.
This research has saved many lives and denying it may well lead to more unnecessary deaths.
Edited for spelling
I know I don't have the right to reply in NPE but hopefully one of the mods or other users can post this there.
Edited by Sam Aigal on Tuesday 2nd June 14:31
Gotta be 30 cm to reliably measure deep core temperature.
"Fitness" ( there are many definitions ) plays little part in it.
We all had full ECGs and extremity blood flow tests before the experiments to minimise risk.
One subject in my cohort, very fit guy, had to be extracted early as his lack of body fat meant his core temperature was dropping fast.
"Fitness" ( there are many definitions ) plays little part in it.
We all had full ECGs and extremity blood flow tests before the experiments to minimise risk.
One subject in my cohort, very fit guy, had to be extracted early as his lack of body fat meant his core temperature was dropping fast.
t people on that thread or it's top trolling!Yep, it was rather uncomfortable.
Forgot to mention that part of it was measuring breath holding.
We had to try and hold our breath for 30 seconds upon immersion ( we had masks on whilst respiration was monitored) A lot less time than to escape a helicopter but not unreasonable in the case of accidental immersion. Sounds easy no ?? It is extremely difficult to overcome the breathing reflex and many people in the tests failed. Your diaphragm is heaving. Combine that with panic and people drown.
Forgot to mention that part of it was measuring breath holding.
We had to try and hold our breath for 30 seconds upon immersion ( we had masks on whilst respiration was monitored) A lot less time than to escape a helicopter but not unreasonable in the case of accidental immersion. Sounds easy no ?? It is extremely difficult to overcome the breathing reflex and many people in the tests failed. Your diaphragm is heaving. Combine that with panic and people drown.
Gassing Station | Science! | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff