After winter swimming
Short answer: Get dressed quickly and start with the innermost layer. Your body temperature keeps falling for around twenty minutes after you come out of the water. Dry, loose layers, a hat and thick socks make that time far more comfortable.
What happens after the swim
Cold blood from arms and legs flows back towards the core as you warm up again. That is why it feels coldest a quarter of an hour later, and not in the water. It is called afterdrop, and for most people it lasts twenty to thirty minutes, so be ready for it.
Why the cold comes afterwards
In cold water the body pulls blood towards the vital organs. When you get out, the vessels in the skin open again, and cold blood from the outer parts of the body returns. The core temperature can therefore keep falling, even though you are already standing in dry clothes.
The order of the clothes
Dry the upper body first and put the innermost layer on straight away. Then the legs. Head and feet come last, but they should not be forgotten. With a fixed order you save time, and you avoid standing hesitating with a cold, wet body while you look for the right garment.
The innermost layer first
The innermost layer sits against the skin and should be dry and loose. A bamboo long sleeve T-shirt for men is easy to pull on even when your fingers are stiff with cold, because the fabric is soft and smooth. Long sleeves cover the arms, which are often coldest.
Legs and feet
The legs come next. Choose trousers that are easy to pull up, and avoid tight legs if your fingers are cold. Dry your feet well, especially between the toes, before the socks go on. Soft socks, for example bamboo socks for men, keep the feet comfortable in your boots afterwards.
Head and hands
The head needs covering too. A hat can go on as soon as the hair is reasonably dry, and gloves or warm hands make buttons and zips easier. Many forget the hands, yet they often feel the most useless when you want to zip up a jacket or tie a shoelace.
What should be laid out
All the clothes laid out in the order you will need them, plus a hat and thick socks. On a bench or in the bag they stay dry and easy to find while you shiver. A towel and a dry change of clothes belong there too. As a middle layer, a bamboo sweatshirt for men suits well.
A warm drink and a pause
A warm drink warms from the inside out, and that is the right direction. Bring a flask of tea or hot water and sit down for a moment. Do not stand still in the wind, and do not let wet hair dry in the air without a hat.
Not into the heat too fast
Wait twenty minutes before you take a warm bath or a hot shower. Rapid warming strains the circulation, and the body needs time. If you have heart or circulation problems, or are unsure whether winter swimming suits you, talk to your doctor before you go in the water.
Frequently asked questions
Should you take a warm bath afterwards
Wait twenty minutes. Rapid warming strains the circulation, so let the body settle slowly in dry clothes with a warm drink, and only then choose a lukewarm bath.
Does a warm drink help
Yes, warming from the inside out is the right direction. Tea or hot water from a flask is easy to bring along and makes it easier to get warm again.
How long does afterdrop last
Twenty to thirty minutes for most people, though it varies. Stay dressed, do not stand in the wind, and wait until you feel properly warm again before doing anything else.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
