I just found this really cool picture of the seance I will be at tonight. Can't wait to perform my tribute to the master of escapes Harry Houdini on the anniversary of his death 85 years ago. I am doing a water escape in his honor and as you can see in the earlier posting one that tries to go beyond what Harry did. I have never performed on Halloween so I hope I am not tempting fate here. And of course things seem to be not going well as the tank was to be filled with warm water. With all the power outages we have had the service that was to fill with water has no power. It looks like I might have to do the escape in tap water which around here ranges in the mid 40's gulp!
A bit here on what I might be dealing with.
Hypothermia is a physical condition that occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below a normal 98.6° F (37° C) to 95° F (35° C) or cooler. Think of hypothermia as the opposite of heat stroke. Cold water dangerously accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia since body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Hypothermia affects the body's core – the brain, heart, lungs, and other vital organs. Even a mild case of hypothermia diminishes a victim’s physical and mental abilities, thus increasing the risk of accidents. Severe hypothermia may result in unconsciousness and possibly death.
What is the torso reflex?
The torso reflex (also known as the gasp reflex or inhalation response) is a physiological reaction – an involuntarily gasp – that happens when a person suddenly enters cold water. The reflexive sucking in of air is a way for the body to rapidly increase oxygen intake into the lungs as a means of increasing survival.
Some reported drowning victims don't die as a result of poor swimming skills or the effects of hypothermia, but from the torso reflex. Occasionally the torso reflex causes victims to inhale water. A person can also die from cardiac arrest brought on by sudden entry into cold water.
The torso reflex (also known as the gasp reflex or inhalation response) is a physiological reaction – an involuntarily gasp – that happens when a person suddenly enters cold water. The reflexive sucking in of air is a way for the body to rapidly increase oxygen intake into the lungs as a means of increasing survival.
Some reported drowning victims don't die as a result of poor swimming skills or the effects of hypothermia, but from the torso reflex. Occasionally the torso reflex causes victims to inhale water. A person can also die from cardiac arrest brought on by sudden entry into cold water.
Ok that Torso Reflex thing doesn't sound good. It is not what I need when I am forced underwater in a bulletproof tank with my chains shackled and the tank padlocked shut.