What is Ice Swimming?
What is Ice Swimming?
Ice swimming is a discipline of open water swimming that is defined as swimming in a body of water that is 5°C or lower. Ice swimming can be conducted in open bodies of water or any kind of outdoor pool.
Competitive ice swimming includes International Ice Swimming Association-governed and -sanctioned races in the ice swimming community that include 100m freestyle, 100m breastroke, 200m freestyle, 500m freestyle, 1000m freestyle (Ice Kilometer) held in ice pools or in the open water.
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is reduced body temperature that happens when a body dissipates more heat than it absorbs. In humans, it is defined as a body core temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). Symptoms depend on the temperature. In mild hypothermia there is shivering and mental condusion.In moderate hypothermia shivering stops and confusion increases. In severe hypothermia, there may be paradoxical undressing, in which a person removes their clothing, as well as an increased risk of the heart stopping .
How to act?
- Breath slowly and calmly. Keep your head above water until you are comfortable putting your face in. If you begin to feel warm in cold water, you are experiencing the dangerous first stage of hypothermia so get out of the water immediately
- It's all about going in the water regularly, daily dips, even for a very short period prepares the body to cope with the 'cold water shock' and the recovery.
- Don't try to be a hero in cold water, know your limitations, and get out as soon as you feel your body moving more slowly or if your hands start to become stiff.
- When you exit the water, put on a hat, and get fully dressed immediately. Your body temperature will continue to drop for a few minutes after getting out of the water, so don't delay! Set all your kit out ready before you go in the water.
Hypothermia classification:
Symptoms: Awake and shivering - Mild
Drowsy and not shivering - Moderate
Unconcious not shivering - Severe
No vital signs - Profound
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