Cold Water Survival Training for a Great Cause!!

[k_estela]

Hey guys,

I usually don't post things like this and it is a bit off topic but somewhat related. I'm participating for the 4th time in the Special Olympics Penguin Plunge. I'll be jumping into freezing cold water next Sunday to raise money for the CT games. This will be my 4th time doing this and this year, for the 3rd year, more and more students of mine are joining me to plunge.

This isn't "survival training" so to speak but it is a great way to test your limits and know your limitations. It also is a way to do so without others asking you why you would do such a crazy thing. Something about charity makes this stupid act a great deed.

If anyone of you want to join me on the 25th in Farmington, CT or if you would like to make a donation, small or large it still matters, the team's website is here http://soct.convio.net/site/TR/Events/General?team_id=6510&pg=team&fr_id=1831 and if that doesn't work, go to

www.soct.org then "Penguin Plunges" on left, then Farmington January 25, 2009 and click on Team Bristol Central High School. I can forward you the instructions how to join the team and donations are easy to make with credit card.

Again, sorry for this kind of post but it is a valid cause dear to my heart and one that truly tests your cold water immersion endurance.

Thanks for reading and helping the cause!

Kev

 

[baldtaco-II]

Good work amigo.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great stuff Kev...:thumbup: i bet that water is c-c-cold....

 

[tonym]

Your a freaking nut!!! But a good cause:thumbup:

If I can get out of work I may come up to watch you penguins though..

 

[andrew7978]

I've been in that section of the Farmington River several times. I'd love to join you, but I'll be back down in PA for school.

 

[Big Mike]

Good deal Kev. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Though the way the weather has been lately you may have trouble finding open water.



"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

 

[j williams]

Man, that is a stellar cause. Good for you man.:thumbup:

Look at it as a test of sorts, push your limits, and report back with your impressions. Im interested in your take on the stages of shock the body goes through during cold water submersion, from a first person point of view, and just how fast fine motor skills deteriorate.

 

[MacHete]

They've held a similar event here in Charleston in the past couple of years. I haven't made it to one yet.

Back in my college days, though, our Outdoor Club held a fundraising "Polar Plunge" for the school's endowment fund. We asked participants to get pledges for each "dip" they took in a frozen lake (up to the neck) - kinda like the March of Dimes used to take pledges for each mile walked. we had a seperate prize for whoever made the most dips.

Water temp was 37, Air temp 32 and wind chill around 15. We had a bunch of people who only dipped once, and a few who dipped three times. We had an ambulance on site, and the Red Cross was there with soup, coffee and hot chocolate. I was shivering in the ambulance when I learned about the multi-way tie, so, against the advise of the attending EMTs, I went to break the tie. After I exited the water, I turned around and said "I wanna win by two." and headed back into the lake. This time when I came out, Two EMTs and a faculty advisor for the club grabbed me and threw me into the ambulance under guard to keep me from going out again. That was unnecessary, because I had had enough. I couldn't feel my feet, fingers or nose and was working up a pretty bad headache.

Lots of fun, though- and for a good cause. I hope to get in on the next one they have here.

 

[Lawlor69]

Best of luck...funnily enough, I have been considering doing such a thing here. Every New Year's Day there is a 'polar bear club' group dive into Lake Ontario. While I've had some extreme cold-water experience, I've not done it in years and years. Thought this would be a great way to do it without giving my wife reasonable, legitimate grounds to have me committed.

Again, best of luck.

Matt

 

[k_estela]

Thanks Sharpeye for the donation! I'll go under water for a second or two just for you amigo!

 

[Spark]

Guys, I'm shutting this thread. Donation drives need to be cleared before being posted.