How cold is too cold to swim in a lake?


How cold is too cold to swim in a lake? According to the National Center for Cold Water Safety, water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit should be treated with caution. Water temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit makes it difficult to control your breathing, and anything lower than 40 degrees is painfully cold.


Is 24 degrees too cold for swimming?

Thirty degrees and above is considered too warm for comfortable swimming by virtually all swimmers. Triathletes use a standard measurement of 24 degrees Celsius / 75 degrees Fahrenheit as the temperature up to which they are allowed to wear wet-suits. By that standard, 24 degrees is the upper limit of cold water.


Can you get hypothermia from a lake?

Hypothermia can happen within minutes of falling into cold water, but the symptoms generally develop gradually. When the water temperature is 40 degrees or below, serious injury can result in as little as a few minutes.


Is it safe to swim in a cold lake?

Keep it safe Particularly if you're a beginning cold water swimmer, have someone with you. The cold water can increase the likelihood of heart problems or cramps that even experienced pool swimmers aren't expecting. If you're not a confident swimmer, it's better to start in warmer and predictably shallow waters.