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
Cool post, Donal.
This year I've been much more into the cold water swimming than ever before. I'm guessing the water is in the low- to mid-50s now. With the use of a thin rubber cap, I find that the temperature is fine. I tend to swim for about 1/2 an hour and while I do shiver slightly after getting out, it's relatively pleasant. Of course, the air temp. has been in the high 50s this week, even after dark, so that helps.
The one thing that's a little annoying with the colder water is the amount of prep work - eating something warm (black beans and brown rice with hot sauce is my favorite pre-swim meal) and then a hot drink) and filling up several half-gallon containers with hot water for post-swim rinsing - it takes before I get in. Once I'm in though, it's great.
Cool post, Donal.
This year I've been much more into the cold water swimming than ever before. I'm guessing the water is in the low- to mid-50s now. With the use of a thin rubber cap, I find that the temperature is fine. I tend to swim for about 1/2 an hour and while I do shiver slightly after getting out, it's relatively pleasant. Of course, the air temp. has been in the high 50s this week, even after dark, so that helps.
The one thing that's a little annoying with the colder water is the amount of prep work - eating something warm (black beans and brown rice with hot sauce is my favorite pre-swim meal) and then a hot drink) and filling up several half-gallon containers with hot water for post-swim rinsing - it takes before I get in. Once I'm in though, it's great.
