Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex

Posted By: Pete Staehling
Date: Tuesday, 28 May 2002, at 2:59 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex (Brian Nystrom)

Thanks for the response. I bet it is really unnerving to be caught by this panic.

: No, it's a physiological response to cold water. According to the literature
: I've seen, it will happen even if one is prepared for it.

I do believe that the reflex to gasp itself is physiological, but I also believe that it is mental in that the gasping is controllable. This is dependent on your knowing what to expect and already knowing what it will feel like and how you will react.

Perhaps I have just never felt the real thing. Note that I have felt a STRONG desire to gasp, but I never felt it was something I couldn't stifle.

If it were really uncontrollable you would suck water. You didn't, so to some extent you did control it. It caught you off guard so the ensuing panic caused you futher problems, but you did control it for a bit at least.

: Neoprene, 3mm. I find it very comfortable in air temps in the 40's, unless
: it's really calm and sunny. In typical winter conditions, it's great.

I guess everyone is different. I can't stand to wear even a pile hat when it is in the 40's unless it is the lower 40's AND the wind is blowing hard.

: Hopefully, the explanations above will help clarify the issues. I'm still not
: sure what cause the problem. I may do some (carefully supervised)
: experiments to see if I can duplicate it. It's never happened before and
: hopefully it won't happen again.

I hope you will never have to deal with it again.

Keep us posted on your experiments if they produce any interesting conclusions.

Pete

Messages In This Thread

Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Brian Nystrom -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 12:46 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Ben Staley -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 1:29 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Brian Nystrom -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 1:43 p.m.

Welcome to the club...
Craig Mackinnon -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 1:30 p.m.

Re: Surprise death to the Gasp Reflex
Randy Knauff -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 6:11 p.m.

What if...
Brianne Corbett -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 8:32 p.m.

Re: What if...
Brian Nystrom -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 2:02 p.m.

Cold water reactions
brad shepard -- Thursday, 23 May 2002, at 9:21 p.m.

Re: Cold water reactions
Carl Tjerandsen -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 11:00 a.m.

larynixospasm
don flowers -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 12:58 p.m.

Re: Cold water reactions
Craig Mackinnon -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 11:00 a.m.

Re: thanks
LeeG -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 11:27 a.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
tom -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 3:34 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Craig Mackinnon -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 3:56 p.m.

Yep, that's it.
Brian Nystrom -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 5:06 p.m.

epiglottal stop
Randy Knauff -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 8:15 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Ken Sutherland -- Wednesday, 29 May 2002, at 6:07 a.m.

Thanks for the reference, Ken.
Brian Nystrom -- Wednesday, 29 May 2002, at 12:35 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
David -- Friday, 24 May 2002, at 6:14 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Tim Mattson -- Saturday, 25 May 2002, at 2:47 a.m.

I don't agree at all
Brian Nystrom -- Saturday, 25 May 2002, at 9:01 a.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Pete Staehling -- Saturday, 25 May 2002, at 9:44 a.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Brian Nystrom -- Tuesday, 28 May 2002, at 12:54 p.m.

Re: Surprise introduction to the Gasp Reflex
Pete Staehling -- Tuesday, 28 May 2002, at 2:59 p.m.

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