Is this a relatively painless CTB? Would it take long to lose consciousness? Is it true that those who do die from hypothermia experience a feeling of "warmth" after the initial coldness?
The subject of hypothermia needs to differentiated from the concept of "freezing to death". Hypothermia does not require sub freezing temperatures, just low enough to drop ones core temperature. Physical pain happens in sub-freezing temperatures when frostbite sets in faster then core temperature drop.
* Shivering or consciousness may be impaired by comorbid conditions such as trauma, central nervous system conditions, toxins or drugs, such as sedative-hypnotic drugs or opioids, independent of core temperature. ** Cardiac arrest can occur at earlier or later stages of hypothermia. Some patients may have vital signs with core temperatures < 24 °C.
Table 2
Classical staging of accidental hypothermia based on clinical signs [34]. Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2021 European Resuscitation Council.Stage | Clinical Findings | Estimated Core Temperature ( °C) |
|---|---|---|
Hypothermia I (mild) | Conscious, shivering * | 35–32 °C |
Hypothermia II (moderate) | Impaired consciousness *; may or may not be shivering | <32–28 °C |
Hypothermia III (severe) | Unconscious *; vital signs present | <28 °C |
Hypothermia IV (severe) | Apparent death; vital signs absent | Classically < 24 °C ** |
FadingSentinel
Member
- Sep 28, 2024
- 22
I would very much not recommend this, before the final feeling of "warmth" you'll have to go though intense cold to the point of severe pain. And depending on your method it could take very long as well. It would not be painless at all and I doubt many people could go through it willingly. Even the people who die by falling into an icy river don't die from hypothermia, the sudden cold makes them go into shock making them unable to swim properly and then drown.
The way you phrase it makes it seem like you think the cold feeling will only last for a few minutes before feeling warm and CTB shortly afterwards. This will not be the case at all. Depending on your method it could take hours before you lose consciousness. Don't forget many people take ice baths on a regular basis and come out just fine even after 15 minutes. You would probably only reach a point of mild hypothermia after 30 minutes and only after the one hour mark would it start to become dangerous. and by that point you'll probably already be in a ton of pain and shivering uncontrolably.
The way you phrase it makes it seem like you think the cold feeling will only last for a few minutes before feeling warm and CTB shortly afterwards. This will not be the case at all. Depending on your method it could take hours before you lose consciousness. Don't forget many people take ice baths on a regular basis and come out just fine even after 15 minutes. You would probably only reach a point of mild hypothermia after 30 minutes and only after the one hour mark would it start to become dangerous. and by that point you'll probably already be in a ton of pain and shivering uncontrolably.
