It is a fairly obvious assumption that body temperature drops during a cold swim. So what is Afterdrop? This when your core body temperature continues to drop once you’re out.
When exposed to the cold your body activates its survival process, which is to reduce circulation to the extremities so your core stays warm. Cold fingers and toes are a long way from your heart. Pumping to these far away places means blood gets colder and colder which makes your core cold as this blood returns.
It's a clever system and designed to keep you alive for longer. Back on dry land your outer layer of skin and fat and those nether regions (I don't mean those nether regions, but men understand the effect of cold there too) is still cold.
I've found myself feeling coldest after I've got out, got changed and am sat by a fire in my Sundfœrr Robe. Sounds bizarre right? The Afterdrop Zone is since leaving the water while those cold extremes are still cold and continue the cool your core. You'll feel more cold 10 minutes after getting out than when you got out.
That delay after exiting the water and when your core starts to warm up is affected by these factors; water temperature, length of your swim and time to get dry and changed. The Afterdrop-zone can be bearable, with some shivering and teeth-chattering. On the more serious side you could experience nausea, faintness and even hypothermia.
Get Warm - Get Help
If you recognise any of the more serious elements, find someone and ask for help. Whichever way, it's important to get yourself warmed up.....
- Get out of your wet gear and get dry.
- Don't hang around chatting - get your clothes on.
- Layers layers layers. Layering traps warm air and reduces wind chill. Naturally, we are fans of wearing a Sundfœrr Robe - you'll have wind-proofing and fleece inner. Underneath, think thermals, long-sleeve sweatshirts and woolly jumpers. Round-off with gloves and a Sundfœrr Bobble Hat. Some regulars where I swim have rechargeable heated gloves and one has a rechargeable heated gilet.
- If you can get your feet off the cold floor, you'll avoid heat loss by standing on something.
- A warm drink is more psychological than having an actual effect. It seems to do something for us, yet be careful trying to sip a hot drink with shivering hands.
- Where's your warm place? The car gets you out of wind and rain and with heaters on full, are a great choice. Heated seats are good if you have them! Avoid driving straight away in case of impaired function. If you're shivering, you probably shouldn't drive.
- Get moving. Walking and running get the body generating heat.
- A sauna is the obvious for when you're cold. A bath or shower is about preference. Some feel better, some feel worse, and water temperature.
Important note: if you are with someone suffering from cold, get them out of their wet clothes and get them dry as quickly as possible and follow the steps above.
