The National Weather Service has issued a warning regarding the perilous conditions of the Potomac River, where water temperatures are currently at a chilling 35 degrees Fahrenheit, despite the air temperatures in Washington, DC, hovering around 50 degrees.
The sudden immersion in such frigid water can trigger a phenomenon known as cold shock, leading to immediate physiological responses like uncontrolled gasping, rapid breathing, or hyperventilation, as highlighted by the National Weather Service.
The weather service cautioned that cold shock can induce panic, fear, or stress reactions, impairing clear thinking and decision-making abilities. This, combined with an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, can elevate the risk of heart failure or stroke, especially for vulnerable individuals.
The risks intensify with prolonged exposure to the cold waters. Hypothermia sets in when the body's core temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, a process that can commence within moments in water of this frigidity. In 35-degree water, individuals may experience a loss of dexterity in as little as three minutes, with unconsciousness setting in within 15 to 30 minutes, according to the weather service. Survival times under such conditions are estimated to range between 30 and 90 minutes.
Due to water's ability to conduct body heat away up to 26 times faster than air of the same temperature, the cold water swiftly causes extremities to become numb, weakening the effectiveness of muscles, as emphasized by the weather service. This underscores the life-threatening risks posed by the near-freezing temperatures of the Potomac River.
