Surviving The Chill: Cold Water Swim Tips!
Photo courtesy of Helen Cogan Photography
The air is cooling but you still aren’t totally comfortable with heading back to the pools because of Covid-19…what do you do? The answer is pretty easy…just keep the open water season going!
Just jumping into cold water without proper training or gear can be very dangerous and even fatal. Below I am giving you this list of things that will help keep you a little safer and more comfortable so you know…you don’t die of hypothermia! Open water swimming in cold water can be safe, if you are smart! Priority number one is safety and priority number 2 is have as much fun as possible!
Wear All The Neoprene
Unless you are an experienced ice swimmer or have been swimming throughout the winter, then you should get all the neoprene. Hypothermia doesn’t care how tough you are, so check your ego at the door and get all the cold water gear. This is your life we are talking about so don’t cheap out either.
If you are new to colder water swimming, then I recommend a few pieces of gear. You should have a full sleeve wetsuit, neoprene gloves, neoprene boots, 2 brightly colored silicone caps, a neoprene cap, a bright safety buoy and anti-chaffing cream. I also recommend ear plugs to help reduce the chance of vertigo from cold water getting stuck in your ears. When you put on the equipment, put the ear plugs in first then put on a silicone cap, then the neoprene cap and then the other brightly colored silicone cap on top of the neoprene cap. Make sure you have plenty of anti-chaffing cream under the strap of the neoprene cap and all around your neck.
Even though you may look like a seal, just remember that you are more likely to die of hypothermia than a shark attack!
Throw Out Time Or Distance Goals
Early season open water swimming can be dangerous when the water is cold. Learn the number one tip to help keep you safe!
I know you are a tough and driven person otherwise you wouldn’t have read this far. On your first few swims, do not go into them with any time or distance goals. You will push to make them and you can end up very sick or injured. You need to go into the cold water with zero expectations. Get in, get comfortable and see how you feel. Some days you will feel great and can go longer and other days you will feel terrible and will get out after 2 minutes. That is completely normal and totally fine. It is essential that you listen to your body and don’t push the limits.
Take Your Time Getting In
Don’t go running into the water like a psychopath! Take your time getting in to acclimate to the water. Even in neoprene you can have the wind knocked out of you from the cold and then you panic, start taking on water and then drown! So walk into the water and splash some of the cold water on your neck and face to get rid of that cold water shock experience. Once you start swimming, do what you need to do to feel comfortable. You may get that ice cream headache, so swim with your head above water for a while. The headache will go away so keep picking your head up and putting it in the water until you feel comfortable. Start slow, get comfortable and have a little fun!
Know The Signs Of Hypothermia
There are a few key signs that you should be aware of so you know when it is time to get out! When you experience any of the feelings below, then it is time to get out:
Shivering! If you are shivering in the water, get out immediately!
Slowed Stroke Rate! If you normally have a stroke rate of 70 spm and you are down to 50 spm and you can’t speed it up, then it is time to call it a day.
Loss of gross motor control. This will usually start in the hands but if your fingers are splayed out or in a claw formation and you are not able to control your fingers, then your swim is done. Time to get warm!
Slowed Thinking. If you notice you aren’t thinking clearly or a bit slower, then you need to get out right away.
You feel hot or a sense of euphoria. This is one of the last stages of hypothermia. This is unlikely to occur but we are all built different so you need to get out and get warm immediately.
If you feel even a little be “off” or like something isn’t right, then get out and try again a different day. Make sure you read up on the “umbles” as well! It is better to be safe than dead.
Never Swim Alone & Stay Close To Shore
This is an important safety tip in all conditions but it is even more essential with cold water. You should never swim alone. You don’t necessarily need someone swimming next to you. Having a kayaker, someone on a paddle board or even a spotter on land is enough to keep you a little safer. Now that we live in different times, try to maintain social distance with whoever you bring to the water with you.
Additionally, staying close to shore is important if the conditions allow it. There is no reason that you need to be 500 yards off shore. In cold water, I recommend going in to waist to chest deep and swim parallel to shore. Things happen fast and if your swim goes south, then you can just stand up and either compose yourself or walk out. If there is an emergency then your spotter or swim buddy can get you out fast too.
Imagine you are 500 yards off shore and you start having a hypothermic problem or an emergency. Your spotter cannot get to you easily and your swim buddy may have to tow you in which could take 10 minutes or more depending on conditions. If it is life threatening, 10 minutes to get to land does not bode well for you. Now imagine you are by yourself. I think you know what would happen if that were the case. It doesn’t end well for you! Open water swimming in cold water can be safe, if you are smart! Be smart and be safe. Stay shallow and close to shore if the conditions allow it and never go alone!
Have All The Warm Things Waiting For You
When you are done swimming, it is very important to get all the cold and wet stuff off and start warming up. You don’t want to warm up by getting in a hot shower or hot water. You want to warm up gradually with warm dry clothes, a warm car or a sauna if available. It also helps to sip hot water and eat things with sugar in them like cookies! Try to avoid caffeine until you are completely warm again.
Even though you are out of the cold, you are not out of the woods! After swimming in cold, you may experience after-drop. Your core body temperature continues to decline after getting out of the water. You may feel warm on the outside but cold internally. You may shiver a lot. This is normal so don’t freak out. Just keep the warm clothes on and sipping the warm water and you will be back to normal in no time!