250 Feet Below 3 Feet of Ice In Speedos | MotD 22.10.13

[DJ aka GDR DJ]

250 Feet Below 3 Feet of Ice In Speedos

 

[Dak]

Very cool DJ,

 

I have always been fascinated that humans have a mammalian dive reflex which slows our heart rate and optimizes our respiratory system when we are submerged. An excerpt from http://evolvify.com/superhuman-tricks-mammalian-diving-reflex/ if you are interested.

"The Mammalian Diving Reflex

As far as we know, every mammal has an automated response system for diving in cold water (less than about 21C / 70F). This mammalian diving reflex allows dive times to be extended by maximizing oxygen expenditure efficiency while submerged. The role of Omega 3s from fish sources in human evolution (especially the explosion *cough* in brain size) isn’t completely known, but diving ability certainly opens up a range of possible food sources. The following three automatic responses are the typical characteristics:

1. Heart rate slows
2. Blood flow to extremities constricted
3. Blood and water allowed to pass through organs and circulatory walls to chest cavity."