Cold water fatal 'gasp' reflex

[MitchM]

very interesting article on the sometimes-fatal results of fallling overboard in cold water even w a PFD and/or drysuit on:

Cold Water Survival - Practical Sailor

Originally known as sudden disappearance syndrome, cold water shock has been known since the 1970s. Different from true hypothermia, which results from the body core temperature dropping over a period of 20 minutes to hours, cold water shock is immediate.

www.practical-sailor.com

PS - practical sailor allows you to sign up for its newsletter even if you are not a subscriber. good for them !

 

[dLj]

Many years ago, I ended up hitting water that was about 32 F, had ice floating in it. I had an involuntary reaction, lucky for me, it was my legs moving like crazy lifting my body out of the water almost waist high. If i'd had the reaction of the huge breath as described, I probably wouldn't be writing this... there are definitely things that happen in your body you can't control...

dj

 

[jssailem]

Mitch.
We had a thread on this subject about 18 months ago. There were a number of good ideas shared.
You might find it in a search.
One of the links shared is attached. To give you good research on cold water exposure.

1/10/1

www.coldwaterbootcamp.com

If you will be sailing in cold water wearing a Personal Flotation Device and a Dry Suit may help you stay alive till help can get there.