Water can have unexpected and severe effects on the human body. Spending too much time underwater can cause skin to break down, leading to open sores, fungal and bacterial infections, and even skin peeling. Exposure to salt water can be particularly damaging, as seen in the case of a man who swam around the UK and experienced severe tongue damage. Cold water can also be hazardous, causing hypothermia, which can occur quickly in cold temperatures. Additionally, drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, which can be fatal. Even exposure to small amounts of cold water can drive a person mad, as seen in the historical practice of using cold water as a form of torture. Furthermore, some people may be allergic to water, a condition known as aquagenic urticaria, which causes an allergic reaction when the skin is exposed to water. These examples highlight the importance of being aware of the potential risks associated with water and taking steps to mitigate them.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Babies spend about 9 months in a watery environment before birth.
2. After birth, humans can only endure being underwater for about 10 days.
3. In 2002, Tim Yarrow set a world record by staying underwater for 240 hours (10 days) in a mall in Johannesburg.
4. Prolonged exposure to water can cause skin breakdown, open sores, fungal and bacterial infections.
5. Water pressure can reduce blood circulation to extremities and make breathing difficult.
6. Experts argue that staying underwater for 10 days could lead to unforeseen circumstances, including skin breakdown.
7. The skin's outer layer, the stratum corneum, loses its plasticity after 12 hours of immersion in water.
8. Water depletes lipids and interferes with natural moisturizing processes in the skin.
9. Exposure to water for 6 days can lead to acute dermatitis.
10. Prolonged immersion in water for 7 days can cause skin peeling.
11. Immersing skin in water at lower temperatures reduces the effect of skin breakdown.
12. Cold water can cause hypothermia, which can be fatal.
13. The cold shock response occurs when the body is placed in frigid water, causing rapid breathing and increased heart rate.
14. A person can survive in 41°F water for 10-20 minutes before muscles become weak.
15. Hypothermia can occur faster in cold water than in cold air.
16. The deeper a person is submerged in cold water, the faster hypothermia will occur.
17. In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 crash-landed in the Hudson River, and passengers survived in 41°F water for a short time.
18. Drinking too much regular drinking water can be fatal, as seen in the case of Jennifer Strange, who drank 1.6 gallons of water in 3 hours and died from water intoxication.
19. The kidneys of a healthy adult can filter 5.3-7.4 gallons of water per day, but can only handle 0.25 gallons per hour.
20. Drinking more than 0.25 gallons of fluid per hour can be problematic for the kidneys.
21. The elderly and children have lower kidney function and should drink less water per hour.
22. Some people can be allergic to water, with a condition called aquagenic urticaria, which causes an allergic reaction to any exposure of skin to water.
23. Aquagenic urticaria is a rare condition that is poorly studied, and scientists don't know much about it or how to treat it.