What is the Polar Plunge When is it held Why?
A polar bear plunge is an event held during the winter where participants enter a body of water despite the low temperature. In the United States, polar bear plunges are usually held to raise money for a charitable organization. In Canada, polar bear swims are usually held on New Year’s Day to celebrate the new year.
How long does Polar Plunge take?
After: dry yourself A common misconception people have, Cheung said, is that splashing around in cold water for a few minutes can cause hypothermia. In fact, even for a lean person, it takes about 30 to 60 minutes before the drop in body temperature becomes dangerous.
What happens to your body during a Polar Plunge?
The reason: Plunging into the water activates a number of cold receptors that reside underneath the skin, kickstarting a process called “cold shock.” This can give you an adrenaline rush, but it makes you hyperventilate: Your heart rate increases, your blood pressure rises, and your breathing speeds up, says Tipton.
Can Polar Plunge make you sick?
If you’re healthy and sober, jumping in the cold water for just a minute or so is unlikely to have any ill effects, since the immersion won’t be long enough to affect your core body temperature, Farcy says.
Is Polar Plunge healthy?
Doctors, however, aren’t so convinced that these plunges are good for you, noting that there is no solid evidence of any physical health benefits associated with swimming in freezing cold water. In fact, they say, the sudden drop in temperature can be dangerous for people with underlying health issues.
Can you get sick from Polar Bear Plunge?
But the Polar Plunge can also affect your body — from your lungs and heart to your muscles and skin. “So Polar Bear Plunge participants probably do not be concerned with hypothermia with limited cold water exposure,” Gabriel says.
Can you get sick from doing a polar plunge?
One of the most common causes of hypothermia is cold-water immersion, particularly in water below 10°C (50°F). Everyone watching or participating in a Polar Bear Plunge (or taking part in any winter activity) should know the signs of hypothermia and what to do in the event it happens to someone around you.