How to Stay Warm in a
Cold Pool.
We aren't made of steel, so it is highly unlikely that you
will enjoy being in a cold pool. Fortunately, this is a problem that can easily
be solved with the right gear and a few easy tips and tricks.
To stay warm in a cold pool, you will need to invest in a
few basic gears comprising a wetsuit, earplugs, and neoprene caps. It will
further help if you warm up before getting into the cold water, and once you
are in, keep moving in the water to conserve and sustain your body heat.
Warm up for 10-15
minutes to minimize the cold-water shock. Usually, a 10-minute jog or rope
skipping will help prepare your body for the cold water. You could also
consider a few other routine exercises such as squats, arm stretches, lounges, and
general toe touches. This helps avoid going into the water with relaxed muscles
and a low heart rate. Doing a few easy stretches will help raise the body
temperature, thereby minimizing the likelihood of any cold-water shock as you
get into the pool.
Wear two caps instead
of one.
It is believed that one could lose quite a lot of their body
heat from their heads. A cap helps retain that body heat. While standard latex
caps are more commonly used, a neoprene cap is known to be warmer and more
helpful in keeping warm.
Wearing two caps instead of one will help insulate the body
heat further as it traps the heat between the two layers of the material and
prevents the heat from dissipating quickly. It is designed to provide excellent
heat retention and insulation. The hood covers the ears and the head and has a
soft neoprene chin strap making it very comfortable to wear.
Wear a wetsuit to
keep the cold at bay.
Getting the right gear is essential to staying warm in a
cold pool. A wet suit may be a little difficult to wriggle in and out of, but
it provides insulation against the cold water by trapping the heat in. A wet
suit will help in temperatures under 65-70°F (18-21°C).
Ensure that the wet suit is not sleeveless, but rather full. Wearing a sleeveless or a short sleeve suit will allow your body
heat to escape through your armpits and the exposed skin surface of your
arms.
Invest in some
earplugs.
You may also want to invest in a pair of swimming earplugs
to keep the cold water out. This way, the earplugs help in keeping your core
body temperature up. Most are made of PVC-free material and are ideal for
different activities in cold temperatures.
Take your time to
wade into the cold pool.
Contrary to what is often believed to be a good practice, you must resist the urge to dive into a cold pool. Instead, take
your time and walk into the pool slowly. This will help prevent any cold-water
shock. By going into the cold water slowly, you give your body the time it
needs to acclimate. This may seem quite uncomfortable at first, but it is still
much better than simply diving in and exposing your body to a sudden drop in
temperature.
Keep swimming to keep
your body warm.
It is important to keep moving in the pool to retain your
body temperature. Always remember that the body gets colder if the blood runs
slower in your veins. If you stand still in the cold water, your heart rate
will slow down, which will lead you to feel cold.
The key, therefore, is to keep the heart rate up. Swimming
the whole time continuously while you are in the pool is one way to make sure
that your body temperature does not drop.
Train consistently in
cold water to develop resistance against the cold.
Like everything else, practice is vital to developing stamina over
time. Try to gradually increase your time spent in cold water. The same applies
to the water temperature. Start off with relatively warmer temperatures, and
build your resistance to the cold by dipping into colder water over time.
Remember that at all
times, you need to listen to your body. Some temperatures may prove to be
too cold for extended swimming, or there may be times when you may find
yourself struggling to breathe. During those instances, step out of the water
and get warm by drying yourself off and putting on warm clothes.
Maintain a training schedule. It may take a while and may
seem frustrating at first, but if you keep taking swims in cold water
consistently, it will gradually help build your resistance to it.
Lather animal fat on
your body to conserve body heat. This is not a very common practice, but
some people dab animal fat on their bodies before donning their wetsuits. Even
though this has gained some popularity only recently, some are staunch
believers in the benefits of lathering themselves in animal fat to avoid heat
loss in cold conditions.
Blow bubbles at first
instead of swimming immediately. To avoid the shock of cold water, causing your lungs to contract and leading to breathing problems, you need to blow bubbles
before swimming. It is advisable to go waist-deep into the water first and
submerge your face till you begin to blow bubbles. This will help minimize the
shock of the cold water and help you ease your way into the pool.
*A few things to
watch out for.*
Pay heed to any signals the body might be sending you while
you are in the pool. Get out of the pool immediately if you start shivering
uncontrollably, or your heart rate suddenly jumps. These are signs that the
body is losing heat at an accelerated rate.
Once you step out of the pool, dry yourself thoroughly, and
get dressed in warm clothes to bring the body temperature back to normal.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you found these tips and tricks easy to follow.
Subscribing to the practices mentioned above and investing in the appropriate
gear will prove vital to maintaining body heat in cold water. Even if the
temperatures fall further, keeping your heart rate up will help combat the cold
and keep you warm.
Cheers- James
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