A Real Experience with Wading Through Freezing Water

Minor spoiler here if you have yet to listen to ep 43...

Way back in 2009, I was living and working in Korea (as a middle school teacher).  Since I was there for just one year, I decided to make the most of everything and say yes to virtually every opportunity and offer.  I had a million adventures that year, but one I will never forget was the Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival.

The festival has all kinds of activities, the biggest of which is the ice water pool in which brave contestants jump into freezing water barefootted and barelegged and try to catch fish in the pool bare handed.  As I was up for anything that year, I volunteered.  I'd never done a polar bear swim or anything like that before, so I was not prepared for what happened when I jumped in.  IMMEDIATELY, my feet and legs lost all feeling and I panicked inside, wondering what would happen if I were to fall over ... I'd be totally paralyzed.  And in a pool of water. Not good!

I took a step and saw a fish.  I plunged in a hand for the fish and not only missed, but ended up losing all feeling in that arm up to the elbow.  Now I was in trouble.  I wasn't sure if I could make my legs go even far enough to get me back out of the pool.  I sort of stumbled to one side, luckily stayed upright, and got out.  I have no idea how anyone managed to stay in there, let alone catch a fish.  Remarkable!  I can still remember that there were some people crying in the warming tent afterwards because the return of one's flesh to normal temperature is a painful journey.  

 

Glad I did it? Kind of.  

Do it again? No way.  

Did I feel bad for my PCs before they had to get into the channel?  Oh yes.