‘Cold shock’ a concern for those entering water
No matter May temperatures, waterways and pools haven’t warmed enough
Popular recreational spots are likely to be busy this weekend, with the Lehigh Valley facing temperatures in the 90s and a heat index nearing triple digits.
But whether you love or loathe the heat, experts say there’s once place you should avoid if you’re trying to cool off: the water.
Early Friday, the Jordan Creek near Schnecksville and Allentown’s Little Lehigh Creek were both at 58 degrees. The Lehigh River at Glendon was one of the “warmer” spots, coming in at 60 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service, water temperatures in the 50s or below are cold enough to induce cold shock, especially if swimmers quickly enter the water by jumping or diving in. It’s a concern as residents get set to grapple with expected record-breaking temperatures weeks before summer officially begins.
“Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow,” said David Tagg, a life member at Cetronia Ambulance Corps in South Whitehall Township. “Heart rate is also increased. As a result, the heart has to work harder and your blood pressure goes up. Cold water shock can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy.”
Even many pools haven’t warmed up quickly enough to be used safely this weekend.
“Pools are pretty cold this year,” said Sam Crothers, the owner of Advance Pool Services in Allentown. “They are extremely cold, and actually much colder than normal because of the spring we’ve had. If they don’t have a heater or solar cover, most have been around 55 [degrees].”
Experts say a common misconception is that the fall is the worst season for dangers such as cold shock and hypothermia. But that’s not the case in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, with water slow to lose winter’s chill and slow to shed summer’s heat.
The current water temperatures across the region can have a debilitating, numbing effect on even the strongest of swimmers. Once cold shock sets in, it puts emergency medical services in a race against time when they’re summoned.
When a person is immersed in cold water, it may be just 2 to 3 minutes before body systems are compromised, said Ed Boyle, director of operations for Cetronia.
“There’s actually four stages of cold shock immersion. The first stage is under five minutes. And then after five minutes, your body temperature can start dropping very rapidly. And within 10 minutes, you could be hypothermic and have your body systems begin to shut down. That’s when emergency services would have to be called,” said Boyle.
One element that safety experts have to contend with this time of year is a lack of public information and understanding of the dangers of sudden cold water immersion. Outside of swimming, other water activities that put people at risk include kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, paddle boarding, and boating.
“Think about if you’re out
on a boat at Beltzville. It’s 95 and sunny. You’re sweating. It’s a beautiful day, but we’re in May, and we really haven’t had a lot of warm days like that,” Boyle said. “You jump off the boat into that 55-to59 degree water and that initial shock that hits you does a lot of crazy things to body systems.”
In Allentown, swimming in the city’s waterways has been illegal since 2018. Still, it hasn’t stopped locals from flocking to area creeks in the heat, and remains a concern with pools not yet open and troubles hiring enough lifeguards.
City council unanimously voted Wednesday to lower the minimum age of employment for seasonal
city staff like lifeguards from 16 to 15 in the hope enough people can be hired to fully staff pools this summer.
In the interim, and with Jordan and Irving Pools closed and undergoing renovation, officials know residents will be seeking other ways to try and beat the heat. They hope people steer clear of the waterways at city parks not only this weekend, but throughout the summer.
“What you do in our waterways, just think of it, that’s your drinking water,” said Karen El-Chaar, the director of parks and recreation. “If you’re going to throw trash in the waterway, that’s the water you’re drinking. If you’re going to
swim or let your dog swim in the creek, that yields bacteria. You have little children that go in the creek, so the same situation applies.”
El-Chaar said Cedar Beach pool will open Memorial Day weekend, while Mack Pool opens June 18. The city will also have several splash parks open — at Bucky Boyle Park and the Old Fairground Playground — with another also in the works.
“We are working on Valania Park, right off 6th and Union across from Building 21. We’re going to start construction of that park with significant upgrades hopefully beginning the week of June 6, and we’re going to add a spray park
there. I don’t think it will be open by summer’s end, but it will be open for next year, so that’s really something to look forward to.”
The Lehigh Valley sees its warmest water temperatures typically from late-June through mid-September. Until we get to that point, Boyle has some advice.
“My recommendation would be if you’re out there on a hot, sunny day in 100-degree weather and you need to cool off, try splashing some water on yourself. Do not fully immerse yourself in very cold water and try and stay in there for a long period of time. Just get yourself cooled off and get out.”