Of all the open water swims around the world, is there a race where there is a maximum allowable water temperature? If so (or if not), what is the scientific information or medical guidelines for a maximum allowable water temperature for open water swims (non-wetsuit)?
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Hypothermia and afterdrop following open water swimming: The Alcatraz/San Francisco swim study*1
Thomas J. Nuckton MD*, David M. Claman MD*, Daniel Goldreich PhD†, Frederick C. Wendt MD* and John G. Nuckton MD*
From the *Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and the Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Received 19 November 1999;
revised 3 January 2000.
Available online 22 May 2002.
Abstract
To determine whether or not participants in open water swim events experience hypothermia and afterdrop, rectal temperature was measured for up to 45 minutes in 11 subjects following the New Year's Day Alcatraz Swim. This event was held in open water (11.7°C ) in the San Francisco Bay, and participants did not wear wetsuits or other protective clothing. Biophysical parameters, including surface/volume ratio, body mass index, and percent body fat were measured before the swim, and statistical analysis was done to determine predictors of temperature decrease and afterdrop duration. Applying the American Heart Association definition of hypothermia (less than 36.0°C ), hypothermia was seen in 5 of the 11 subjects. Using a more rigorous and traditional definition (less than 35.0°C ), hypothermia was seen in only one subject. Afterdrop, defined as continued cooling following removal from cold stress, was seen in 10 of the 11 subjects. Surface/volume ratio (S/V) and body mass index (BMI) predicted the lowest recorded temperatures (P
Hypothermia and afterdrop following open water swimming: The Alcatraz/San Francisco swim study*1
Thomas J. Nuckton MD*, David M. Claman MD*, Daniel Goldreich PhD†, Frederick C. Wendt MD* and John G. Nuckton MD*
From the *Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and the Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Received 19 November 1999;
revised 3 January 2000.
Available online 22 May 2002.
Abstract
To determine whether or not participants in open water swim events experience hypothermia and afterdrop, rectal temperature was measured for up to 45 minutes in 11 subjects following the New Year's Day Alcatraz Swim. This event was held in open water (11.7°C ) in the San Francisco Bay, and participants did not wear wetsuits or other protective clothing. Biophysical parameters, including surface/volume ratio, body mass index, and percent body fat were measured before the swim, and statistical analysis was done to determine predictors of temperature decrease and afterdrop duration. Applying the American Heart Association definition of hypothermia (less than 36.0°C ), hypothermia was seen in 5 of the 11 subjects. Using a more rigorous and traditional definition (less than 35.0°C ), hypothermia was seen in only one subject. Afterdrop, defined as continued cooling following removal from cold stress, was seen in 10 of the 11 subjects. Surface/volume ratio (S/V) and body mass index (BMI) predicted the lowest recorded temperatures (P
