Why does falling into freezing water cause shock?!
Question:
Why does falling into freezing water cause shock?
Answers:
a few reasons - the cold water has a strong effect on peripheral blood vessels. on a very cold day walking outside it is remarked that some ppl have very rosy cheeks, this is because the blood vessels close to the surface of a persons face divert blood flow. this diversion is so quick that some blood is trapped - hence rosy cheeks.
when this happens over all of the skin, the body diverts blood flow away from these areas to maintain core temperature. basically your skin is a radiator with very accurate and precise controls.
this diversion causes ALL the blood to circulate in the core of the body, there is a huge increase in blood pressure as the body attempts to maintain body temp. a combination of extreme cold causing organ dysfunction due to impaired cellular processes. the the body goes into shock from the huge pressure on the body's organs - the brain, heart, lungs and kidneys are all subjected too much higher pressures then normal.
eventually the body succumbs to the cold and its attempts to survive cannot continue. shock happens before this time.
also because of this blood diversion that ppl in hypothermic shock shouldn't be warmed too quickly. receptors detect heat and blood rushes back to the outer areas of the body - while this is warmer then before and the outer areas do need the blood the average temperature drops too far. (if done incorrectly) below a certain temperature (not sure exactly) the heart is unable to conduct electrical signals and thus stops.