Signs too late to stop drowning

AuthorOscar Francis
Published date24 January 2023
Publication titleOtago Daily Times: Web Edition Articles (New Zealand)
A police spokeswoman said the man who died on Thursday was 35-year-old Jonathan Jordan Young, of New South Wales

Mr Young was helping a child in the water when he got into trouble himself, the spokeswoman said.

His death follows the drowning of Leeroy Kaaho (48) in nearly identical circumstances at the same spot at the mouth of the Rees River, after attempting to rescue his 10-year-old son from Lake Wakatipu.

A Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesman said signage had been arranged following Mr Kaaho's death and was scheduled to be installed the day after Mr Young died.

Prof Chris Button, of the University of Otago School of Physical Education, said it was likely the combination of cold water shock and strong currents that caused the twin tragedies.

Cold water shock was an involuntary response lasting one to three minutes, caused by the rapid stimulation of temperature receptors, Prof Button said.

It was typically observed in water colder than 15degC, which included most of the lakes and rivers in New Zealand.

The response generally caused an involuntary gasp, followed by hyperventilation, an increase in heart rate and a drop in brain blood flow, which could make decisions difficult.

His research had shown that people tended to be able to swim for only short periods in cold water.

"It really does debilitate us," Prof Button said.

People affected should relax if...

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