Why the First 60 Seconds in Cold Water Is the Most Dangerous Part of the Norseman Triathlon
By
fanf2
1mo ago· 7 min readenInsight
85/100
Golden Brown
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Pure flour-power. Hearty enough to carry you through lunch.
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Summary
The article explains the critical danger of the first sixty seconds when jumping into cold water, using the Norseman triathlon as a backdrop. The author describes why cold water spray before the jump is not theater but a life-saving measure to reduce the risk of cold shock response, which can cause cardiac arrest. The piece blends personal experience from the race with scientific explanation of the body's physiological reaction to sudden cold immersion.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe first sixty seconds in cold water is the most dangerous minute of the whole race.
The spray is one of the best ways I know to make that minute less dangerous.
A lot of people think this is theatre. Some kind of wake-up ritual. It is not.
Why Jumping Into Cold Water Can Stop Your Heart