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Forums › Off topic › If you are freezing wet, is nude better than clothes?
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MadEngineer
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  #1580510 26-Jun-2016 14:35
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if you have good shelter and an emergency blanket you take the wet clothes off otherwise most certainly leave them on.

Classic mistake is people that suffer an injury or become otherwise stuck out in the open and take off their wet shoes and socks thinking its for the best.



Worth noting that sweaty clothes can be a risk when tramping. People get hot and sweaty inside their crappy plastic jackets only to freeze through the wet clothes after taking off their jacket. Wool ftw.




You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

allan
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  #1580556 26-Jun-2016 16:23
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From my days as a scout (maaaany years ago), a statistic of "wool retains 40% of it's warmth even when wet" springs to mind.

Batman
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  #1580679 26-Jun-2016 20:04
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I had an answer but thought I'd better not just guess.

 

Went swimming today (cold Dunedin day). Without anything on - freezing like crazy. Wore a wet polyester shirt - I actually felt warm. Didn't try cotton - that I'm sure will be cold, but is it colder than skin - don't know.

gzt

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  #1580682 26-Jun-2016 20:13
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If there is no video it didn't happen. Try again tomorrow ; ).

Edit: have Greenpeace and medical assistance standing by for removal of heavy fuel oil ; ).

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  #1580699 26-Jun-2016 21:47
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Rikkitic:

Say you are in the cold ocean, a la Titanic. Someone helps you into a lifeboat. Are you better off shivering in wet clothes or stripping so the freezing wind can at least dry you off?


 



Can I ask what brought on such a conundrum?

Batman
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  #1580701 26-Jun-2016 21:49
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gzt: If there is no video it didn't happen. Try again tomorrow ; ).

Edit: have Greenpeace and medical assistance standing by for removal of heavy fuel oil ; ).


Oh did I say without anything on ... I meant without shirt... It was an indoor pool too by the way..

Batman
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  #1580702 26-Jun-2016 21:50
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Ramboss:
Rikkitic:

Say you are in the cold ocean, a la Titanic. Someone helps you into a lifeboat. Are you better off shivering in wet clothes or stripping so the freezing wind can at least dry you off?


 



Can I ask what brought on such a conundrum?


Perhaps one forgot to take meds

oxnsox
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  #1580707 26-Jun-2016 21:58
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Ramboss:


Can I ask what brought on such a conundrum?


From the post earlier up this page, I'd guess a midwinter swim challenge. ....

That aside, I've found for best performance of polyprop or merino layers et el, tis best to use (wear) them as per mamanufacturer recommendations.
Specifically if they're part of a 'layered' clothing system, they wont be as effective if you don't wear them as intented.
(ie: If they're a 2nd layer garment then wear them with the recommended under-garment type)

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  #1580712 26-Jun-2016 22:11
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A midwinter swim challenge???

 

Have people not heard of a wetsuit? And wet-gloves?

G4m3r
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  #1580715 26-Jun-2016 22:28

Heat is energy and cold is the lack of energy.
Energy will dissipate to its surroundings to try reach equilibrium.
The lager the temperature difference the faster the transfer rate.
Water in your clothes will take more energy to heat up per degree than air. (only draws body heat away faster)
The water slowly evaporates taking any warmth with it. 
Wind chill and wet clothes will just make this worse.
Avoid keeping clothes on that absorb water, like cotton.

 

Get as much moisture away if possible. avoid wearing cotton and wear more clothes that dry quick so you can put them back on asap.
Someone helped you onto the life boat, in a survival situation either share clothes if theirs are dry or share body heat.
If multiple people on the life boat, huddle in a group minimizing wind chill and rotate people at center of group and outside like penguins do.  

You would think most lifeboats would have some sort of supplies of emergency blankets so not entirely doomed in this situation.

As far as a midwinter swim wet suit or dry suit preferable anything else will be pretty cold in the water.
I don't know what skins are like but skins or thermals in the water should help eliminate water movement next to your skin therefore should help make it feel a bit warmer.
Once out get dry asap. If you are going to be out of the water a while before you can get dry wear a set of polypropylene thermals.

Rikkitic

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  #1580741 26-Jun-2016 22:50
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Ramboss:
Rikkitic:

 

Say you are in the cold ocean, a la Titanic. Someone helps you into a lifeboat. Are you better off shivering in wet clothes or stripping so the freezing wind can at least dry you off?

 

 

 



Can I ask what brought on such a conundrum?

 

Nothing in particular. I often  have random thoughts running through my head and every now and then a question pops out. I was feeling a bit cold and then I thought how much I hated being cold and wet and then I started wondering what the best course of action was if one did happen to be cold and wet. Not really a big deal if the air is warm but what if it is freezing? Then I thought of Titanic. Then I started typing. 

 

 

 

 




Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 

JWR

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  #1580817 27-Jun-2016 02:33

Rikkitic:

 

Say you are in the cold ocean, a la Titanic. Someone helps you into a lifeboat. Are you better off shivering in wet clothes or stripping so the freezing wind can at least dry you off?

 

 

 

 

Get out of the wind.

 

Take the cold clothes off wring them out as much as poss and then put them back on (dry or not).

andrew027
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  #1580853 27-Jun-2016 08:17
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Rikkitic: Say you are in the cold ocean, a la Titanic. Someone helps you into a lifeboat. Are you better off shivering in wet clothes or stripping so the freezing wind can at least dry you off? 

 

If you look like Kate Winslet and I'm the one who helps you into the lifeboat, my advice is to strip off your wet clothes. I'll keep you warm.

MikeAqua
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  #1580921 27-Jun-2016 09:58
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Even wet clothes are something between your skin and the elements.  Modern fabrics like polypropylene actually perform OK when wet. But because they wick so well, they are hopeless protection against wind. 

 

You really need to find/make/dig/hug some sort of shelter from the wind.

 

I do bit of kayaking in winter in Tasman Bay on days with light to moderate winds.  I wear 2 - 3 thermal layers plus a breathable wind-shell and a life-jacket   I have ample body fat and I still get chilly if I stop moving.




Mike

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  #1580946 27-Jun-2016 10:57
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Wool is referred to as a Hygroscopic Insulator, meaning it retains it's insulation ability even when wet.  Not sure exactly how much though when it's 100% submerged, and it probably weighs you down.

 

 

 

Bottom line is you probably stand a better chance of survival if you don't fall into the cold water in the first place.  ie don't sink to start with.

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