By james art 
The National Meteorological Service has issued a warning about the dangers of immersion in the Potomak River, where the water temperatures are currently moving around 35 degrees, despite the air temperature in Washington, Colombia County, which are nearly 50 degrees.
Sudden immersion in such frigid water, known as cold shock, can cause immediate physiological reactions such as uncontrolled breath, rapid breathing or hyperventilation, according to the National Meteorological Service.
“Cold shock can cause immediate panic, fear or stress reaction, which then violates clear thinking and decision -making,” the Meteorological Service warned. These reactions, combined with a jump in heart rate and blood pressure, can increase the risk of heart failure or stroke, especially for vulnerable individuals.
The dangers escalate with prolonged exposure. Hypothermia begins when the main body temperature drops to 95 degrees, a process that can start at times in water this cold. In 35-degree water, people can lose dexterity in just three minutes, with the unconscious appearing within 15 to 30 minutes, according to the Meteorological Service. Survival time under such conditions is evaluated at between 30 and 90 minutes.
“As the water conducts the body heating up to 26 times faster than the air at the same temperature, cold water quickly causes the limbs to tingle, weakening the ability of the muscles to work effectively,” warned the meteorological service, emphasizing the life-threatening risks posed by almost freezing temperatures at The river.