Ever do a Polar Bear Plunge?

[pppiglet]

Nope...could never do this. I won't even go in the ocean here. (only on vacation to the caribbean where the water is warm).

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

http://www.lakepowell.net/polarbear/faq.htm


Q: What Happens When You Jump Into Cold Water?
Sudden immersion in ice cold water can result in an involuntary gasp followed by 1 - 3 minutes of involuntary hyperventilation. Specific data are: 2.0 liter gasp in 82o water and 3.0 liter gasp in 50o water (i.e. nearly your entire lung volume), and in 50o water a 600 - 1,000 percent increase in ventilation (air in and out) in the first minute. This hyperventilation results in a profound lowering of blood carbon dioxide levels and a raising of blood pH levels.

Q: Is Winter Swimming Dangerous?
The strain placed on the heart are not likely to be a problem for a healthy, fit person but may be dangerous for those with underlying heart disease or hypertension.
Professor William R. Keating from the University of London indicates that there is little health risk in cold-water swimming unless a person starts suddenly at an old age.

Q: What is Cold Water Shock
Rapid cooling of the skin triggers various heart and breathing responses. The heart rate can increase by 50% and blood pressure increase can increase to 175/93. Although a substantial strain on the heart, these changes are not likely to be a problem for a healthy, fit person but may be dangerous for those with underlying heart disease or hypertension.

 

[JoMarie]

My grandfather used to be part of the Polar Bear Club here in Coney Island. He would be in the water almost everyday in the winter and lived well into old age. When I was younger and went with him they tried to get me to do it, but I was too cold to even stand on the beach so I went to Nathan's instead.

 

[kerstfan1]

it is tradition here to do it myself did it never i will watch it on tv

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Your son might want to be a spectator first.

Seeing the miserable faces and goose bumps the size of golf balls on others convinced me that it was not something I want to try soon.

There is some entertainment value in watching it.

regarding dangerousness, the local ones here have emergency workers, ambulances and police standing nearby. fortunately, they were not needed.

 

[debster812]

I was a swimmer in college, and the entire team did a couple of New Year's Polar Bear Plunges. I could not even begin to contemplate it now, but back then, we had a lot of fun, once we warmed up, and got dry again.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....We said "no" to DS. It's too far for him to drive.

I agree, Sam, much too far to drive.

.....I showed him this thread, and he asked "Does anyone think I should do it?" I said "no" so he doesn't want to read it. Snot.

Your mom has had good advice here over the years, now you too can reap the value here.

.....I'd do a polar bear plunge. I dunno...is it really healthy to do that to a body???
You know, DH went running in the mountains a couple weeks ago whn it snowed and then went knee deep in the cold mtn. river (which I can barely get in during summer!). He's nutty though.

I can just see you. Keith? Nutty? Not. Good guy, smart guy, except for going in a Smokie's river in the winter.

http://www.lakepowell.net/polarbear/faq.htm


Q: What Happens When You Jump Into Cold Water?
Sudden immersion in ice cold water can result in an involuntary gasp followed by 1 - 3 minutes of involuntary hyperventilation. Specific data are: 2.0 liter gasp in 82o water and 3.0 liter gasp in 50o water (i.e. nearly your entire lung volume), and in 50o water a 600 - 1,000 percent increase in ventilation (air in and out) in the first minute. This hyperventilation results in a profound lowering of blood carbon dioxide levels and a raising of blood pH levels.

Q: Is Winter Swimming Dangerous?
The strain placed on the heart are not likely to be a problem for a healthy, fit person but may be dangerous for those with underlying heart disease or hypertension.
Professor William R. Keating from the University of London indicates that there is little health risk in cold-water swimming unless a person starts suddenly at an old age.

Q: What is Cold Water Shock
Rapid cooling of the skin triggers various heart and breathing responses. The heart rate can increase by 50% and blood pressure increase can increase to 175/93. Although a substantial strain on the heart, these changes are not likely to be a problem for a healthy, fit person but may be dangerous for those with underlying heart disease or hypertension.

I guess I won't do a polar plunge next year. That's all I need.


Happy New Year, Mare, and you too, Sam.

 

[Green Tea]

I could never do one. I get too cold with water from the sink before the hot gets there. I see them on TV and it makes me hurt to even watch!

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

I was raised Greek Orthodox, and on Epiphany, young men from the church "dive" for the cross. Now, this is all fine and dandy in parts of Greece and in Florida...but, in NY - whoa.

My brother dove when he was about 15 or so and got the cross (which is a huge honor). It was 20 degrees the day they dove - windchill was ridiculous. Ice on the beach - they dove from the side of a police boat and an ambulance was waiting just in case. About ten young men participated that year - in milder years, more will dive. In warmer climates, lots and lots of guys dive.

Craziness.

I hate being cold - just hate it. I simply can't imagine willingly making myself that way. lol

 

[Ohiodislover]

DH, and DD are doing one for the first time on Jan 30th. I am excited for them, but that is as far as it goes. I thought about it but I just can't wrap my head around the idea.