Book 30, Question 139
Why can cold lake water be dangerous even on a warm day?
Lake water can stay surprisingly cold for months after the air warms up.
Jumping into cold water can make you gasp and breathe fast, and arms and legs can get weak quickly. That's called cold-water shock. Wear a life jacket, enter slowly, and swim with a buddy near shore. If you fall in, stay calm, float on your back, and call for help.
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Quick answers
Why can cold lake water be dangerous even on a warm day?
Warm air doesn’t always mean warm water in lakes, streams or oceans, and even water temperature that may not sound very cold can be deadly.
Source: weather.gov
More fun facts
- The sudden gasp and rapid breathing alone creates a greater risk of drowning, even for confident swimmers in calm waters.
- The impact can be felt within seconds of entering cold water, and the longer the exposure or the colder the water, the more severe the impact can become.
- Cold Shock can cause an immediate panic, fear or stress reaction that then impairs clear thinking and decision making.
- Weather conditions along any large body of water can also cause dramatic drops in water temperatures, even in the middle of summer.
- Cold water risks come from immersion into any body of cold water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, streams or pools.
Sources: weather.gov
Questions kids ask
What should you dress for on cold water?
Always dress for water temperature, not for air temperature.
Source: weather.gov