The Truth About Cold Water

Doryman · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:36 am Post subject: The Truth About Cold Water

Good blog post by a USCG safety specialist on cold water survival, particularly regarding survival times in cold water. Follow links to some other interesting safety posts.

Also see this discussion about Cold Water Boot Camp (but the link in that thread to the video is no longer operative; instead follow the gcaptain link.)

Warren

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject:

Excellent info - could save a life.

Plan C · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject:

If you haven't read Lynne Cox, check out:
http://www.lynnecox.org/booktour.htm
http://www.lynnecox.org/Lecture.htm
She has to be an exception among us, but as an example, she swam 30 minutes in 31 degree water in Prudhoe Bay. She swam the Bering Strait.

From my own limited experience, I can't imagine what it is like to do what she has done. It involves great tolerance of pain in her arms and legs.

As a bonus, she is an excellent writer. She was author of the New Yorker article about her.

She is one of two ocean survival heros for me. I will never swim in cold water without thinking the whole time of Lynne. The other is Dr Bombard, who, despite all the advice we have ever heard, urges drinking of limited amounts of seawater for shipwreck survivors.

Dave