diving reflex
Underwater survival instinct
The diving reflex is an automatic physiological response triggered when the face contacts cold water, slowing heart rate and redirecting blood flow to vital organs.
It's most pronounced in infants and marine mammals but present in all humans.
The reflex conserves oxygen during submersion: The diving reflex kicked in when she plunged into the icy lake.
Cold water on the face can activate it even without full immersion, which is why splashing cold water calms panic.
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
- slow heartbeatAbnormally low pulse rate
- apneaTemporary cessation of respiration
- submersionBeing entirely underwater
- cold waterFigurative enthusiasm killer
ice bucket · cold plunge · mammalian · breath-hold · deep breath · vasoconstriction · blood vessels · drowning · heart rate · survival instinct · survival mode · fight or flight · hypothermia · plunge · gasp · shock · peripheral · autonomic
diving reflexlearned behavior
Action acquired through experience
diving reflexfight-or-flight response
Physiological reaction to danger
stress response · tachycardia · panic response · adrenaline surge · hyperventilation
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