How can humans survive in cold water?

Answer 1

Humans can survive in cold water for a while, depending on the temperature. If you are in just-above-freezing waters, you may survive 15 minutes to 30 minutes if your lucky. It depends on the clothes you are wearng also.

Th best way to survive in cold water is to curl up into an egg position and just float, lifting your head occasinally for air. You will need to conserve all the energy you have. Whatever you do, DON'T DRINK THE WATER (if its salt water. it will further dehydrate you), and DON't FALL ASLEEP. You can and probably will drown if you doze off, and the cold water may not help with waking you up in your exhausted state.
Initially your body moves as much blood out to the arms and legs to try to warm them up. At a certain point the opposite happens and your body tries to keep the brain and organs in your torso warmest. Eventually, your body goes into shock because it is unable to continue to run because many of the chemical reactions in the body slow down too much to continue running. You then become unconscious. Then you freeze. Then you wake up and Pauly Shore is bothering you.

Really, the best way to survive in cold water is protective gear like a dry suit or getting out of the cold water quickly.