Many people who grew up around the water imagine that they could survive for some time if they were to accidentally fall off of a ship. If it happens relatively close to shore, they may believe they can swim to land. Even if they fall off of a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, they may think they can tread water long enough for the rescue crew to reach them.
But there are many cases in which strong swimmers still pass away relatively quickly after falling overboard. Friends and family members are often surprised that they would drown so fast, not understanding why their swimming skills did not help them in this emergency. The answer may be the cold shock response.
An involuntary response
Cold shock response is an involuntary physical reaction that occurs when your body is suddenly submerged in freezing or near-freezing water. It can cause your muscles to tense, make it difficult to draw a breath, and lead to uncontrollable hyperventilation. The very first symptom is often a gasp as you hit the water.
The danger of the cold shock response is that it can cause someone to start drowning almost immediately. Even if a person is a strong swimmer, if they gasp as they hit the water and inhale seawater, they may start choking and coughing. This quickly drains their energy, makes it impossible to breathe, and negates all of their swimming ability. This is why accidents at sea or in open water are so dangerous—because the water is often far colder than most people realize.
Have you lost a loved one or suffered injuries in a maritime accident? It is important to understand how this happens and what legal steps you can take.