SURVIVING COLD WATER IMMERSION

摘要

Cold water immersion significantly increases the risk of hypothermia -when the body's core temperature falls below 35℃ - and your chances of surviving a capsize or falling overboard in deep water are improved if you can stay warm. It is generally recommended that remaining relatively still is a good strategy to prevent heat loss -swimming is counterproductive unless there is a prospect of reaching the shore, boat or raft. Huddling together with others is advised, but that may not be an option. So, what else can you do to improve your survival chances? Presenting research funded by the Colt Foundation1, MSc student Rebecca Neal described an investigation looking at how different modes of exercise and rest affect core body temperature and metabolic response. Her study used n fully clothed volunteers immersed in a swimming pool at 18℃. Rectal body temperature and oxygen consumption (VO_2) were recorded every five and 10 minutes, respectively. Each participant completed three experimental conditions - rest, leg-only swimming and whole-body swimming - in a randomised counterbalanced design.