Be as warm as you can before you go in the water and do not drink any alcohol before you go in or after you come out. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and you will lose heat quicker and if you drink when you are cold the dilated blood vessels will return cold blood to your core quicker and drop the temperature. This can be very dangerous. When you hit the water watch out for an involuntary gulp of air. I put my chin against my chest and cover my nose, this seems to help.
Do not stay in the water any longer than you have to and when you get out dry off and get into dry clothes. Wrap up in a sleeping bag or blankets with another person (no funny business!) and drink warm liquids. There is a temptation to get into a hot shower or bath but you have to be careful. If you are very hypothermic and your core temp has already dropped the blood in your limbs will be even colder. When you get into a hot shower or tub the cold blood will move into your core and make the situation worse. I like to think of it as “you loose heat quickly from your limbs but slowly from your core and you re-warm you core quickly but your limbs slowly”. Try to be one of the first ones out of the water so you watch the others. Sometimes it is the 250 lb “he men’’ that squeal like little girls when they hit the water. Have fun, be careful and post pictures.

as soon as you get out do a series of jumping jacks and push ups, this should get blood back into your limbs. As for pre warm up i would say just go for it, if you are colder longer your body will continue to loose blood flow. just jump in a keep calm once you are in the water!!!! good luck

"For God's sake, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a pool man!" So I may not be qualified to answer but...........

I would guess that having a lower core temperature when going in would be more dangerous.

But remember I am just a college kid. I would ask people who have done it before for tips.

My core temp was once 11 degrees below normal many hours after I was rescued. Contrary to what some folks believe or say, a couple of degrees below normal is not necessarily fatal. Of course, my temp was reduced gradually (ambient air) rather than dramatically. It was nonetheless quite an ordeal, complete with total hallucinations, etc. I also have done the ice water plunge in Alaska as part of training. Had to swim 75 yards to a boat and climb in. If you're just jumping in and out, you shouldn't have too much to worry about except the gasp. Get into some dry duds quickly and you'll be surprised how fast you're back to normal and stop shivering. I second the booze ban. At least wait till you've stopped shivering before taking a drink if you must (but hoisting hooch would seem out of place at a special olympics benefit). It'll probably make you start shivering again.

Also, tank up on some calories before and after you take the plunge (candy bars, donuts, etc.). Avoid the coffee, especially before the dip, unless decaffinated. The caffiene will hinder digestion and decrease your body's ability to fuel itself. I think it also does something to circulatory system. Jim, do you remember anything about that?

If you have heart trouble or suspect you might, DON'T DO THIS. Those special needs kids need you alive. Have fun!

You're out of your rabbit ass mind!

When you jump in, keep your head above the water if possible. When you jump into shockingly cold water your first instinct is to gasp for air. Keep it air not water. Also most of your heat is lost through your neck and head, you will be less miserable keeping your head out of the water. Man I did so many stupid things as a scout, but I can give helpful hints to stupid activities.

Wear a wet or dry Diving suit ( there IS a difference I am not sure what they are) I believe a diving shop will rent one to you they are pretty pricey. what they are) it wont keep you "Warm & Toasty" But will prevent a fast freeze. Why not jusr DONATE MONEY to the cause rather than endanger yourself? Even so, get in and out pretty quick!

I did that before. my advice is to don't think just jump. If they have a hot tub use it before (if you can) and defiantly after. as soon as the cold hits you will panic (I did even after my third time) so stay calm.

also the booze is a horrible idea read any survival book and it will tell you so. i would also stay warm before hand dont lower your body temp most important is to get out of your wet cold cloths and into your dry ones and you'll be like new. good luck

Cudo's to you sir for doing this. A couple guys I work with did this last year here at our resivoir so cold the ice had to be broke out to the point they turned around at. my advice to you is keep your head up (but if its like here you run in so that shouldnt be an issue) just get there and back as quickly as you can the guys i work with just wore speedo's (helped them get more donations) then begin the process of drying off and geting warm. just remember your doing this for a great cause and your discomfort will only be temporary.

no more advice to give it has pretty much been covered but just wanted to give you props for doing this for an amazing cause. be safe and dont drink alcohol its about the most dangerous thing you could do

Many years ago, my brothers and I used to dive in and retrieve ducks and geese from the Missouri river in South Dakota. The weather was usually between zero and 15 degrees later in season. We tried our best to drop them on the ice or on a sandbar but occassionally, one would make it to the open water where the river's fast current kept the ice open a little longer. The three of us took turns so we had time to warm up between flocks. We took our clothes off and ran to dive past the shore ice... it cuts your shins real bad if you try to wade through 5-10 feet of thin ice along the shore. Brace for the shock of cold water but keep your wits about you. You can last about 3-5 minutes in the freezing water before you begin to lose control of your muscles. Get in and get out within a couple of minutes if you can and you will adjust to the cold and be able to swim. Don't stay out too long, losing control of your jaw will be your first sign that hypothermia is taking over. If that happens, get out quick no matter what because you may not be able to swim. Be careful coming back to shore... give yourself sufficient time to be able to patiently break up the shore ice slowly so it doesn't cut your shins as you break through it heading for shore. That was always my unfavorite part because it is sometimes hard to stop the bleeding if you get too cut up and it can delay your return to warm clothes. Once on shore, squeegee your whole body with your hands immediately before the water freezes on your skin. Shake your hair and any water drops off and immediately get into nice thick DRY clothes. A couple of big dry towels at this stage will do wonders. If you did a good job getting most of the water off your skin, you will get toasty warm again right away. Be sure to remember a hefty hat or your hair will freeze fast. Once you are back in dry clothes, do jumping jacks and run in place a little until you get your blood flowing good to extremeties. We did this numerous times a day each and were able to keep hunting all day without getting out of the cold. The hardest part is definitely the first five seconds after you hit the water. Brace your mind with a strong positive attitude and keep your focus; it will be over before you know it. By the way, I must add, that when we took my highschool football coach duck hunting, he was shocked that we did this and he went right out and bought us beautiful Black Lab. What a guy! Have fun and keep the faith... you can do it!

ive done it a couple times on new years day one year they had to break through 2" of ice so we could gt in....i dont really feel a shock as long as you run in..if you jump in then it gets dangerous

take an ICE COLD shower first.