In early 2014, Ram Barkai took a trip to Antarctica.
There was a lot of floating ice of various sizes, Barkai, 60, tells SELF.
The water is cold all year round, says Barkai.
International Ice Swimming Association
Per IISA definition, the rules of ice swimming are specific, yet simple.
Wetsuits are not allowed but competitors can wear one cap and one pair of goggles.
For safetys sake, there are just two official race distances: 1 kilometer and 1 mile.
International Ice Swimming Association
Barkai’s ultimate goal, he says, is to eventually make ice swimming a sanctioned Olympic sport.
The first: risk of hypothermia.
Lastly, hypothermia could trigger cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which could then trigger cardiac arrest.
An ice swimmer post competition.
These risks are why safety is taken seriously in the sport.
The doctor is also on hand should there be any need for medical assistance during or after the competition.
If a swimmer seems confused when they get out of the water, that’s another danger sign.
As a swimmer, another can’t-ignore signal is worsening vision.
It will start to feel like someone is dimming the lights on you, explains Barkai.
It gets to a place where you get a tunnel vision of light where you cant see any periphery.
Then, the tunnel will start to shut down, he says.
At that point, you know you gotta get out [of the water]."
Diving into cold water is an immediate shock to the entire body, says Barkai.
But the process of rewarming is equally, if not more, agonizing.
The cold water makes your skin very sensitive, says Barkai.
His support crew has special instructions to handle him gently when he emerges from the water.
An ice swimmer post competition.
Ice swimmers could get burning pain in their hands and feet as they rewarm, Leber confirms.
Its painful more than anything.
Coming out dazed and incoherent is common for many ice swimmers, Barkai says.
for survive ice swimming, you have to be a good swimmerno exceptions, says Barkai.
Because its such a hostile environment, you better be able to cover distance in a reasonable time.
If you are not mentally prepared to handle that, you will struggle.
Training and experience helps greatly with this, says Barkai.
This helped push away any mental weakness.
Another strategy of Barkai’s is to “under-think.”
Getting into ice water is a scary thing, admits Barkai.
You undress from very warm clothing until youre basically naked and then you dive into ice.
And lastly, theres the acceptance approach.
Theres nothing you’re able to do about the cold, says Barkai.
He tells himself: There are no tricks, so dont worry about it.
Push the cold away and focus on other things.
