Frozen to an anchor in early Sept?

[KevB]

A little confused by this report of a man on the Thames frozen to an anchor a couple of days ago?


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/11088870/Man-rescued-after-becoming-frozen-to-an-anchor.html

 

[Aardee]

Hmmm "Page not found" - I wonder if it was an old story that somehow reappeared and was taken down just as quickly?

 

[KevB]

Hmmm "Page not found" - I wonder if it was an old story that somehow reappeared and was taken down just as quickly?

They must have moved the link but it's still there. try again I've cut and past again.

 

[colingr]

I suspect a bit of misleading terminology. From a member of the crew that picked him up he was so cold he was effectively paralysed and suffering from hypothermia. Not physically frozen to the anchor.

 

[KevB]

I suspect a bit of misleading terminology. From a member of the crew that picked him up he was so cold he was effectively paralysed and suffering from hypothermia. Not physically frozen to the anchor.

I'm guessing the temp of the Thames must be at least around 18deg this time of year so not exactly icy.

 

[Aardee]

Am I right in thinking you're more likely to suffer hypothermia when drunk (more than you usually would clinging to an anchor in the early hours?)?

 

[elton]

I suspect a bit of misleading terminology. From a member of the crew that picked him up he was so cold he was effectively paralysed and suffering from hypothermia. Not physically frozen to the anchor.

I agree, misleading misuse of the term "frozen". "Paralysed" may have been more accurate.

 

[Mariner69]

If I fell into the Thames after a number of 'wets' and surfaced to grab an object I feel sure I would be 'frozen' to it. A bit like Charlton Heston and his gun!

 

[Seastoke]

are you sure he wasnt in the anchor with a magners full of ice

 

[Prhperio]

Am I right in thinking you're more likely to suffer hypothermia when drunk (more than you usually would clinging to an anchor in the early hours?)?

Yes. The alcohol causes vasodilation (dilates your blood vessels) so you loose heat more rapidly. That's why is you give Someone who feels cold a stiff drink they feel warmer (blood circulating more around periphery) but actually loose heat faster (so not a good idea). On a side note, always worth carrying a space blanket (it looks like a big piece of silver foil & is pretty cheap) to wrap someone in to help keep them warm.