Swimming in the ice-hole: harmful or beneficial. Drunken unprepared people climb into icy water

Swimming or even swimming in ice water is a historically developed and moderately popular method of winter pastime in some countries (Russia, USA, Czech Republic, Finland and others). Bathing is timed either to holidays, or to weekends, or - it is practiced for no particular reason, just as a fan. Both adherents of such entertainment and outsiders have questions: is it useful, is it harmful, how (harmless) dangerous?

According to the sensations of the bathers themselves, diving into an ice-hole brings entirely positive emotions and a surge of strength. There are objective reasons for this: there is a release of endorphins in response to stress, activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, accompanied by the release of other biologically active substances such as dopamine and serotonin. They are often called "pleasure hormones", so the emotions of extreme people are quite understandable.

From a medical point of view, it is difficult to give unequivocal comments about the benefits and harms of such procedures. Medical speculation on this topic lies in the fact that the signals that cold receptors receive in ice water are sent to the brain, and the brain instructs the blood vessels to "push" blood throughout the body and thereby ensures the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues. substances, and in addition contributes to a more intensive removal of metabolic products from the muscles, in particular, lactic acid.

It is on this that the theory and practice of bathing after physical exertion is based - the restoration of the body, supposedly, is faster. Allegedly - because in the scientific and medical literature there is not a single intelligible explanation why immersion in ice water should be practiced after exercise, and not some other procedures (massage, walking, or, in general, lying on the couch with a tablet in hand) ... How much worse will blood deliver these nutrients and oxygen to your organs if you refuse to regularly jump into the hole? To find out, you need to carry out comparative studies, and so far no one has done this.

There are only a few scientific papers in which researchers have tried to identify the benefits or harms of ice baths. But most of them came to the following conclusion: in a conditionally homogeneous population of volunteers, diving into an ice-hole brings neither benefit nor harm. In other cases, scientists have argued that the data received is not enough to make an unambiguous conclusion, or that the data are simply inconsistent.

One Australian study compared the effects of immersion in a cold bath and a warm bath after intense stress on the leg muscles. No difference was found, except that those volunteers who immersed themselves in the cold after exercise experienced more severe soreness in their legs the next day.

However, unfortunately, scientists have identified not only the occurrence or intensification of pain syndrome in response to swimming in ice water, but also more harmful phenomena: for example, an increased risk of respiratory failure and even heart attacks (including the so-called "cardiovascular accidents "), Due to the same stress that causes excessive cold in the body.

It is impossible to predict the onset of such side effects of "ice" entertainment (unless there are known risk factors - bronchial asthma, heart failure, heart attacks and strokes, and so on), and if it is impossible to predict, then it is hardly worth recommending. Especially if a person finds himself in such a distant from his natural habitat.

Archpriest Sergiy Vogulkin, rector of the church in the name of the icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa" of the city of Yekaterinburg, doctor of medical sciences, professor answers:

Probably, one should start not with swimming in Epiphany frosts, but with the most blessed feast of the Epiphany. All water, in all its forms, is sanctified by the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, because for two thousand years the water of the Jordan River, which touched the blessed body of Christ, rose to heaven millions of times, floated in the clouds and again returned to the earth with drops of rain. What is it - in trees, lakes, rivers, grasses? Pieces of it are everywhere. And now the Feast of the Epiphany is approaching, when the Lord gives us an abundance of consecrated water. Anxiety awakens in every person: what about me? This is my chance to cleanse myself! Do not miss it! And so people without hesitation, even with some kind of despair, rush to the hole and, having plunged, then for a whole year talk about their "feat." Did they partake of the grace of our Lord, or did they amuse their pride?

An Orthodox person goes quietly from one church holiday to another, observing fasts, confessing and receiving communion. And he prepares for the Epiphany slowly, deciding with his family who will be honored after confession and communion, according to the old Russian tradition, to plunge into the Jordan, and who, due to childhood or malaise, will wash his face with holy water, or pour himself on a holy spring, or simply accept holy water with prayer. as a spiritual medicine. We, thank God, have plenty to choose from, and there is no need to risk thoughtlessly if a person is weakened by an illness. Jordan is not a Sheep Font (see John 5: 1-4) and must be approached with caution. An experienced father will not bless everyone for bathing. He will take care of site selection, ice strengthening, gangways, a warm place to undress and dress, and the presence of an Orthodox medical professional. Here, mass baptism will be appropriate and gracious.

Another thing is the mass of desperate people who decided to swim “for the company” in icy water without blessing and simply elementary hesitation. Here we are not talking about the strength of the spirit, but about the strength of the body. The strongest spasm of the skin vessels in response to the action of cold water leads to the fact that a mass of blood rushes to the internal organs - heart, lungs, brain, stomach, liver, and for people with poor health this can end badly.

Especially the danger increases for those who were preparing for the "cleansing" in the ice-hole with smoking and alcohol. The flow of blood to the lungs will only intensify the chronic inflammation of the bronchi, which always accompanies smoking, can cause swelling of the bronchial wall and pneumonia. Prolonged intake of alcohol or acute intoxication in warm water constantly leads to misfortune, let alone swimming in an ice-hole. The arterial vessels of an alcoholic or a household drunk, even if he is relatively young, are not able to properly respond to massive cold exposure, in these cases paradoxical reactions can be expected up to cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest. With such bad habits and in such a state, it is better not to approach the ice hole.

On January 19, Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians celebrate Epiphany. Early in the morning on this day, it is customary to bless the water. It is believed that on Epiphany it acquires healing properties and retains them throughout the year. Also, another tradition is connected with this day: in the old days, on the eve of Jordan, a large cross was cut out in the ice and installed vertically next to the hole. The ice cross was decorated and poured with beet kvass, from which it turned red, and everyone who wanted to plunge into the hole. This tradition has survived to this day. Anyone who dared to do this believes that the healing Epiphany water will give him health for a whole year. There are daredevils who, even in severe frost, jump into icy water. We will tell you about how not to behave if you decide on this feat.

10 ANTI-ADVICE FOR WALRUS BEGINNERS

No preparation

Baptism happens once a year, and nothing terrible will happen if you dive in without any preparation. Only real bores are pounded with snow and doused with cold water in the shower. But they get pleasure from swimming in the hole, not inflammation.

Dress more glamor

No hat, more buttons and fasteners - let everyone see how good your taste is. In the meantime, you will be pulling and buttoning all this beauty - you will definitely freeze to the skin.

Go dive hungry

Although the food you eat will go to warm the body and give energy to endure cold stress, why waste extra time on food?

Come alone

Then no one can give you a towel and call an ambulance if you suddenly feel bad.

Have an aperitif

Alcohol will contribute to rapid hypothermia and put an extra burden on the heart, which means that pneumonia and other inflammations are not far off.

Directly into the water

Dived, dived and done! And at the same time, blood will flow in a rapid stream to the heart and brain, threatening you with a heart attack and stroke.

Do not take off your swimming trunks

Why deprive others of the opportunity to admire your swimsuit, which you will take off for a long time in the cold and twist, wasting precious minutes.

Sit longer - get healthier more

Following this logic, the longer the exposure to holy water, the more diseases you can heal. But 10 seconds is enough - just have time to plunge three times, as traditionally should. If you sit longer, your body may not be able to handle hypothermia.

From the water to the ice

After the ice hole, jump straight onto the ice, because you forgot to bring a rug with you. Just do not stand too long - wet heels quickly stick to the ice.

No time to wipe

And without that, there is enough trouble - buttoning up buttons and combing hair in the cold. Of course, a wet body under your clothes will quickly freeze, and you are guaranteed a cold.

SPECIALISTS 'OPINIONS

Alexey Ivakhnenko, neurologist, director of the treatment and diagnostic center of the International Institute of Biological Systems:

“In fact, there is nothing terrible for health in such a ritual. When it comes to short-term diving. The stress that the body receives in a fairly short period of time does not have time to harm a person's health, rather the opposite. A sharp immersion in cold water is a strong stress (not only physical, but also mental), a kind of shake-up for the whole organism. There is a powerful release of adrenal hormones. And, as you know, hormone therapy is considered one of the most powerful tools in the treatment of many diseases. With a short-term immersion in cold water, only the outer covers are cooled, the internal organs, especially the brain, will not have time to feel the effect of the cold. And to increase your "frost resistance" you can eat a tablespoon of fish oil with a slice of well-salted black bread one and a half to two hours before swimming.

But if you sit in an ice-hole until goose bumps, it will not lead to anything good, even if the person is absolutely healthy. Blood rushes to the heart and brain, stimulating the work of these organs. Due to vasospasm, there is a risk of heart attack, stroke, seizures and the rapid development of pneumonia. In addition, reproductive function suffers as well as digestion. You also need to remember that swimming in an ice hole is categorically contraindicated for cold allergies, inflammatory gynecological diseases, tuberculosis, impaired renal function, pregnancy, epilepsy, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels. "

Igor Pashko, Orthodox priest, archpriest of the Church of the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Church:

“Unfortunately, many people perceive swimming in the ice hole for Epiphany as a sacred ritual. But it has nothing to do with faith or God. This is an old pagan tradition, clothed in the framework of Orthodoxy. With the same success, you can plunge into the ice hole on any other day and get a healing effect according to the laws of winter swimming. The composition of the water for Epiphany does not change. Its properties change after consecration in the temple. Water combines with Divine energy and acquires healing power. And you can plunge, the main thing is the right attitude. After all, cold water is a strong stress for the body, if you add fear to it, the body gets sick. After all, stress and fear are cognate words that have the same energetic nature. Moreover, ablution in baptismal water does not automatically cleanse one from all sins; for this purpose, one must go to confession and communion. But the water consecrated in the temple really heals. And it is impossible to explain this phenomenon of a miracle in physical terms. The healing effect occurs through faith, through collective prayers. This water has a long shelf life, and you can use it when you are sick.

In the church for Epiphany, water is consecrated twice: on the eve of the holiday - on January 18 and on the 19th. The first portion of water is usually used for washing rooms, animals, cars, etc. The second portion is used for drinking in health. And do not overstrain, taking away from the temple that day a canister for a dozen or two liters. Consecrated water can be added to simple clean water, and all of it will be just as full of grace and also will not deteriorate. Therefore, it is enough to take a small bottle - and there will be enough water until the next Epiphany for you and your loved ones. "

January 19, the day when the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated in Orthodoxy. Epiphany bathing in the ice hole (font) has long become a folk tradition. They say that on this day, if you swim, you will not get sick. BUT! Still, there are medical contraindications and they are worth paying attention to. Let's look at the main contraindications and rules for bathing at low temperatures:

(and here at your own risk, as they say, and the risk) to people with cardiovascular diseases (high risk of heart attack or stroke), epileptics, respiratory diseases, diabetics, if there were previously traumatic brain injuries, with stomach ulcers, cholecystitis and arthritis. And also with sexually transmitted diseases. And there are many more contraindications.

Try to choose the right place to swim

1. Whenever possible, choose a location that is trusted, best organized, with a group of people.
2. The depth of the bathing area should not exceed 180 cm
3. If possible, try to fence off the swimming area to avoid falling.

Appropriate equipment required

Swimming trunks (swimsuit), a towel (bathrobe), take slippers (only not rubber ones, as they slip a lot), or you can go into the water in socks.

Remember to warm up before diving into the ice hole

Make a few swings with your hands, a couple of bends, etc., the main thing is not to overdo it and not sweat.

If you want, then of course you can plunge headlong, but this is optional.

Plunging in, euphoria (feeling of joy) arises, and you may want to stay in the water, but this feeling of euphoria is just a chemical reaction in the brain to cold. So, do not linger and risk your health.

Immediately after swimming in cold water, you need to warm up

Rub yourself with a towel and drink something warming (green tea).

Do not drink alcohol before swimming

It is a misconception that you need to drink because it warms you up. But in fact, the effect is the opposite.

This is of course optional, but you can pray

For reference

From the Greek "baptize" or "baptism" means "immerse in water." Water, as everyone knows, is the source of life. The Sahara and other deserts are dead because there is no water there. Water can also be the cause of many disasters (the Bible story of the flood, tsunami, and more).

Epiphany bathing symbolizes purification and the beginning of a new life. Good luck and take care of yourself!