What it's like to freeze to death
Not the fun kind of popsicle.
Somehow this seemed appropriate for this week: a 1997 Outside Magazine article about what it's like to freeze to death. There are a bunch of interesting facts in the piece, including the concept of "paradoxical undressing:"
At 85 degrees, those freezing to death, in a strange, anguished paroxysm, often rip off their clothes. This phenomenon, known as paradoxical undressing, is common enough that urban hypothermia victims are sometimes initially diagnosed as victims of sexual assault. Though researchers are uncertain of the cause, the most logical explanation is that shortly before loss of consciousness, the constricted blood vessels near the body's surface suddenly dilate and produce a sensation of extreme heat against the skin.
Brrrrr: Today's high is projected to be 32 degrees (the temp was 30 at around 2 pm), which is the highest forecasted temp for the next seven days. Every day high temp in the extended forecast is below freezing.
[article via @mdelfs]
Earlier on AOA: Death by icicle
photo: Flickr user peoplearestrange
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Comments
85 degrees? Is that an outside temp, or a body core temp?
... said Anne on Jan 7, 2010 at 3:27 PM | link
That's referring to body temp.
In cases involving air temperature, it's called the Nelly Effect.
... said Greg on Jan 7, 2010 at 3:35 PM | link
That was really interesting, and not just a little freaky.
... said Summer on Jan 7, 2010 at 3:36 PM | link