Latest news with #coldwater
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cooling off in the water this weekend? Here's what you need to know
As the warmer weather starts to roll in, thousands of people will be heading to the water to cool off, but officials are warning people to stay safe when entering Washington's lakes and rivers. Pinpoint Alert Days issued for warm temperatures and cold water danger Sunday and Monday 'What surprises people is the rivers. If they get in there, it's gonna be bone-chilling, cold,' said Peter Mongillo with Snohomish Regional Fire. Mongillo wants to remind people that rivers and lakes can be frigid, despite the heat outside. 'You can get your energy sapped very quickly... If you fill up with, you know, water in your lungs, you're gonna sink like a rock,' he explained. According to the National Weather Service, cold shock can happen in 50-to-60-degree water. Here are the current water temperatures in Western Washington: Lake Washington: 66° Lake Sammamish: 70° Green Lake: 65° Puget Sound (Seattle Aquarium): 56° Lake Stevens: 62° Lake Ballinger: 64° Lake Tapps: 51° Tolt River: 52° Snoqualmie River: 52° Due to these cold temperatures, Mongillo urges everyone to wear life vests — even if they know how to swim. 'Especially in the rivers, your hands become less functional. You can't grab onto things as easily, you can't swing your arms as easily, but you know what, if you got that life jacket on you're at least you're afloat,' he added. Fire officials can't emphasize enough that parents keep an eye on their kids in the water and don't get distracted looking down at their phones. Mongillo says that when the weather starts to warm up, they see an increase in water rescue calls. 'Sadly, the first warm weekend of the year, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, we can set our clocks to it because that's when drownings really start picking up in the lakes and the rivers,' he said.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lake Tahoe water temperature remains cold, posing risks for swimmers
( — With the weather getting warmer, the water temperatures of Lake Tahoe are still on the cooler side, according to the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. NLTFPD stated that before you swim, check the temperature of the water and know your limitations. Lake Tahoe remains the second deepest lake in the United States; because of this, the temperature remains lower year-round. At this time, NLTFPD said that the lake temperature is currently in the high 50s, which is considered to be cold water and can quickly lead to cold water shock, swim failure, and hypothermia. 'Cold water shock is a real risk. An average of seven people drown in Lake Tahoe every year due to cold water shock,' said NLTFPD officials. 'Cold water shock occurs when the body enters extremely cold water and the muscles lock up, resulting in temporary paralysis.' Stockton's FatherFest: A day of fun and family bonding For more updated information on water temperatures and lake conditions, click here. During the summer and throughout the year, NLTFPD responds to numerous water emergencies on the lake, according to officials. Here are some safety precautions before heading to the cold waters at Lake Tahoe. Boat Safety: Each person on board a boat, including paddleboards, must have at least one USCG-approved life Jacket Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while the boat is underway, unless they are in an enclosed area Carry a whistle or horn Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature Check the weather forecast for wind conditions Never go on the water alone Don't drink alcohol while recreating on the lake File a float plan – leave it with a friend or family member Swim Safety Wear a USCG-approved life jacket Know your swimming limitations Enter the water slowly Feet first, first time Swim with a buddy Respect the dangers of cold water Check the weather for wind conditions Stay hydrated Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Times
Does ‘contrast therapy' work? What to know before taking the plunge
We've all heard that cold water swimming is supposed to be good for us and that regular use of traditional saunas can make us happier and healthier, but the latest trend combines the two extremes. Contrast therapy, as it is known, entails switching between hot and cold temperatures, jumping from cold water to sauna and back again, and is said to improve circulation, boost mood and promote muscle recovery. It's not a new concept: the Romans would have a caldarium (hot steam room) and a frigidarium (cold pool) in their bathhouses, while for decades athletes have used contrast therapy to aid recovery. However, the practice has recently caught the imagination of the wellness brigade and word has spread about its healing capabilities. • Read more
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Man drowns in Colorado lake while attempting to help children in rough water
A man drowned in a Colorado lake Wednesday when he tried to help four children swimming in rough waters. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the 53-year-old was on Sailboard Beach at Lake Pueblo State Park yesterday afternoon when his children and their friends went into rough water. Park visitors said they saw the man go under the water and went to pull him out, while others called rangers for help. Colorado Parks and Wildlife The park rangers arrived on the scene within minutes. Authorities said witnesses, park staff, and medical personnel all assisted with CPR for around 40 minutes, but were unable to revive him. His body was turned over to the Pueblo County Coroner's Office for identification and to officially determine his cause of death. Officials said the children are safely with their respective guardians. CPW said the man was not wearing a life jacket, and the water temperature was in the upper 50s. They encouraged anyone planning to go into the water or out on a watercraft to wear life jackets and be aware of the dangers of cold water shock. "Water below 68 degrees Fahrenheit is dangerous. Sudden immersion in cold water can cause gasping, inhalation of water and hypothermia, resulting in unconsciousness or swimming failure as muscles become numb," said CPW. They also encouraged swimmers to check river flows, as heavy rain or snow melting in the mountains can cause water levels to rise quickly.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kaliyah Coa, 11-Year-Old Whose Body Was Found in London's River Thames, Did Not Drown, Coroner Says
Kaliyah Coa, 11, died due to the cold temperature of the River Thames' water, according to the initial findings of a coroner's inquest; she did not drown "The effect of being in cold water would have caused unconsciousness and death relatively swiftly," Coroner Graeme Irvine said at a hearing Coa's body was found in the river on April 13, two weeks after she was first reported missing on March 31Kaliyah Coa did not drown, according to the initial findings of a coroner's inquest. After the East London Coroner's Court opened an inquest into the death of the 11-year old — whose body was found in the River Thames in April after she went missing in March — on May 2, Coroner Graeme Irvine explained the findings at a hearing, the BBC reported. It appeared Coa had entered the river in an attempt to recover a lost shoe, and died shortly after due to the frigid temperature of the water, per the London coroner. "The effect of being in cold water would have caused unconsciousness and death relatively swiftly,' Irvine said, according to the BBC. This aligns with preliminary postmortem findings, which suggested that the 11-year-old did not drown, the outlet reported. Irvine was required to have a hearing because the cause of Coa's cause of death was 'unnatural,' and told the court that the provisional cause of death is immersion, the BBC reported. Additional tests still need to be conducted, however, the coroner said. The East London Coroner's Court did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 10. Coa's body was discovered in Maritime Quay in the morning of April 13, two weeks after she was first reported missing on March 31. On the day Kaliyah went missing, she was off from school, according to police, who previously said she entered the water near the Barge House Causeway. Two children were seen at the scene trying to get help, according to a witness. In a statement to the BBC, Coa's family said that the 11-year-old had gone to a birthday party 'and never returned home.' "Our hearts are broken and our lives will never be the same,' the family said. 'We were blessed to have Kaliyah, even if it was for such a short time. She will be missed so much." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The family also thanked everyone who took part in the search for Coa, and requested their privacy be respected in the wake of her death. "This tragic accident took away a little girl who was loved by many,' Detective Superintendent Scott Ware echoed the family in a statement, per Sky News. 'Our specialist officers will continue to support Kaliyah's family as they process this heartbreaking news.' "I echo her family's request for privacy while they navigate the difficult road ahead," Ware continued, 'and urge the public to refrain from wholly inaccurate speculation both on and offline." Read the original article on People
