To think everyone should accustom themselves to cold water

[silverystream]

It has been quite fashionable in certain circles to take ice baths / cold water baths or showers. Stuff about health benefits and autophagy and reducing inflammation etc.

But beyond this I think it is a really good idea because most drownings occur due to cold water shock. Yet people can get accustomed to sitting baths full of ice cubes! I just watched a thing about Alaska wherby someone fell in icy water and was pulled out pretty quickly. They said if they didn't act quick he would lose his fingers! Yet Wim Hof dove under the ice and swam underwater and I think holds a world record for this. Isn't it a good idea to start taking cold water baths in order to build up resilience?

I think so and take a cold water bath everyday. Cold tap water doesn't even feel that cold after a while.

What do you think?

I chose to not put myself in a position where I'm likely to fall into icy water and drown. It's worked so far.

I fell in to icy water once in Dorothy Perkins. Can happen anywhere. We should build our resistance. I have time to do this everyday. Sensible suggestion OP.

There is that but people do still fall in accidentally.

I’m no scientist but I’m pretty sure cold water resistance is built slowly in the moment? Aren’t ice baths done by filling the bath with cold water, then adding ice while you sit in it etc? Or if you’re especially sensitive, having an ice pack on part of your body while sitting in cold to lukewarm water?
I can only see longer term tolerance being built if you regularly take ice baths.
I’m not about to take 3-4 ice baths a week “just in case” I happen to fall into icy water at some point...

Definitely, for both of your reasons. It's a fantastic idea, and I've always done it a lot anyway. I'm the youngest of 6 sibling and they all like baths, so I always got freezing cold water!

What do you think?

I think I don't live in Alaska so this is ridiculous.

Sure thing OP, you go first! We'll all be right behind you.

Off topic but how did you fall into water in dorothy perkins?

Yeah, I think it should be done from birth really, accustom them young.

IS BREXIT GOING TO STEAL OUR HOT WATER??!!!!!!

I’ve jumped into an ice hole but I did it on purpose and it was an amazing experience. If I’d accidentally fallen in I’d probably have felt differently.

I like to bath and shower so hot I nearly boil and plan to keep it that way.

People fall into rivers all the time. Wim Hof dives into icy water. Can be done. I've only got as far as cold tap water baths in winter, though.

100% agree, I do this, it's a sensible precaution.

I also firewalk in the garden 3x a week in case I find myself near an erupting volcano.

Why not Fraggle ? I like your style.

Fascinated to hear how you fell into ice cold water in Dorothy Perkins...that sounds like a story that needs to be told!

MINItrawler , how the hell did you fall into ice water in Dorothy Perkins?? mind boggles...

no thanks, but you carry on op!

Surely the shock of falling into cold water is a physical reaction inherent in the dramatic change in temperature and therefore unavoidable? I find it hard to believe that psychologically getting yourself used to cold water will actually cause the body to have memory of that and resist the shock. Maybe I'm wrong, but it sounds like nonsense to me!

I will, Chicky. Winter is coming...

I regularly shoot myself to acclimatise my body to being shot in a stand-off.

Here for the DP explanation

I've been increasing my exposure to electrical energy, just in case. I'm up to attaching myself to a car battery overnight.

I like the ice water plunge pool at the spa. That's about it.

cold water will actually cause the body to have memory of that and resist the shock.

You do build up resistance . When I first took a cold water bath it felt painfully icy. Doesn't even feel particularly cold now.