After your feet go numb, what is the next sign of hypothermia? I need to know what to look for. My feet go numb first. After one or two fingers go numb, i decide it's time to get out. What signs do you look for that tell you it's DEFINITELY time to get out? btw even when just the feet have gone numb, i make sure i'm no more than about 100 meters from shore.
Parents
Former Member
For the common folk out there that like to get in cold water, here is what I have to say about it. If the water feels really cold when you are getting in ..keep the time in it down to a half hour or less.
If it starts to feel cold when you have been swimming awhile after you have warmed up..get out.
You feel great and invigorated ,and cruising along..but notice a slight cramping anywhere ..get out.
When you get in the water and it feels like its starting to burn your skin...like your chest or stomach....20 minutes is enough.
Side note. You have to swim hard enough to generate heat and continue that heat....however, swim too hard and the air going into your lungs can cool your diaphram and cause a cramp.
Swiming cold open water like I did tonight is more about the zen state of mind than the workout itself. Sometimes you just need to do it to connect again. You don't have to be in a long time.
For the common folk out there that like to get in cold water, here is what I have to say about it. If the water feels really cold when you are getting in ..keep the time in it down to a half hour or less.
If it starts to feel cold when you have been swimming awhile after you have warmed up..get out.
You feel great and invigorated ,and cruising along..but notice a slight cramping anywhere ..get out.
When you get in the water and it feels like its starting to burn your skin...like your chest or stomach....20 minutes is enough.
Side note. You have to swim hard enough to generate heat and continue that heat....however, swim too hard and the air going into your lungs can cool your diaphram and cause a cramp.
Swiming cold open water like I did tonight is more about the zen state of mind than the workout itself. Sometimes you just need to do it to connect again. You don't have to be in a long time.
