An unresponsive man was pulled from the chilly waters off of Coney Island during this year’s annual Polar Plunge after suffering cardiac arrest on New Year’s Day after diving into the water.
The man, who’s name was not immediately released, reportedly collapsed to the ground after spending what authorities describe as a few minutes in the frigid Atlantic ocean.
He had entered the water alone, according to the New York Post, which was at 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the swim.
This year, 3,000 people took part in this year’s Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island, Bronx News 12 reported.
Hypothermia sets in once you are in water that is 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lower, according to University of Michigan health library.
Lifeguards were able to drag the man out of the water and perform CPR before EMTs were able to arrive, authorities said.
Pictured: a man suffered a massive cardiac event, with emergency medical personnel, pictured, transporting him to area hospital
EMTs arrive on scene after a man was pulled from the icy waters off of Coney Island following a Polar Plunge event on New Year’s Day
The Post reported that the main remained unresponsive, even after attempts at chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
The Post reported that the main remained unresponsive, even after attempts at chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The FDNY confirmed that a person suffering from cardiac arrest was reported at 11:30 am at Stillwell Avenue and Surf Avenue.
The unnamed man was rushed to nearby Coney Island Hospital, however no further information was available as of Saturday evening.
The man is a part of the Polar Bear Club, which calls itself ‘the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States,’ with the plunge being a free charity event where participants are required to sign waivers.
‘The club is the oldest winter bathing club in the United States and was founded in 1903,’ the Polar Bear Club’s website reads.
The 119th Polar Bear swim takes place in Coney Island after being postponed last year because of Covid 19
People participate in the annual Polar Bear Plunge in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough on January 1, 2022 in New York City. The event returned this year after a hiatus last year due to COVID-19
A person wearing Santa Clause costume walks out of the ocean during the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Plunge on January 1, 2022 at Coney Island in New York
A reveler does a cartwheel into the frigid waters on Saturday to bring in the new year with a Polar Plunge
People participate in the 119th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island on January 1, 2021 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. The event returned this year after a hiatus last year due to COVID-19
Pictured: advertisement for the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge reads: ‘Happy #newyear to all of our #supporters #firstresponders and #volunteers We look forward to a fun event tomorrow’
‘We swim every Sunday November-April at 1 pm. Membership is currently closed.’
The group welcomed the new year with a polar plunge, which they do on first of every year as well, however they were forced to take a hiatus last year due to COVID-19.
The 119-year old club is no stranger to controversy too.
A 35-year-old woman died shortly after participating in a ‘Polar Bear Plunge’ charity event in New Jersey in 2009, according to Syracuse.com.
Meanwhile, a man drowned last year after a ‘dare’ led to him being swept away in New Hampshire’s Smith River.
In Boston this year, dozens of people participated in the L Street Brownies’ 118th annual Polar Plunge at Carson Beach in South Boston Saturday morning, according to WCVB.
‘It was great. It’s actually warmer than I thought,’ one participant told the outlet.
‘My house is 42 degrees. I bet you this is warmer.’
The L Street Brownies are the oldest ‘polar bear’ club in America.
That same morning in Wisconsin, hundreds of locals gathered at Bradford Beach at Lake Michigan in Milwaukee for the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
‘2021 was kind of a crappy year,’ Stojanovic told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal Saturday.
‘What better way to flush it out than to shock yourself, shock the system.’
Swimmers run into the lake in the annual New Year’s Day Splash and Dash Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin, Saturday January 1
Swimmers dash to warmth after participating in the annual New Year’s Day Splash and Dash polar bear plunge into Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin, Saturday January 1
Pictured: a reveler looses her hat as hundreds of people took to the 44 degree ocean water, plunging and swimming, during the first swim of the year at M Street Beach in Boston, Massachusetts on January 1
Pictured: revelers run back to the beach after taking a dip into the water as hundreds of people took to the 44 degree ocean water, plunging and swimming, during the first swim of the year at M Street Beach in Boston, Massachusetts on January 1
The L Street Brownies, pictured, a group that has been swimming year round almost everyday no matter the weather for over a hundred years, for the annual first swim of the year
Source: dailymail
