Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Naked female scientist works with beluga whales in water colder than an ice cube

By Mona Goldwater, Science Editor

"Braving sub-zero temperatures, she has thrown caution — and her clothes — to the wind to tame two beluga whales in a unique and controversial experiment. 
"Natalia Avseenko, 36, was persuaded to strip naked as marine experts believe belugas do not like to be touched by artificial materials such as diving suits.
"The skilled Russian diver took the plunge as the water temperature hit minus 1.5 degrees Centigrade."


OK, naked, that makes sense. Mostly.  But jumping into 30° water? I waded in Puget Sound yesterday. It was about 50°. My legs were numb. She is jumping in water twenty degrees colder. "The average human could die if left in sub-zero temperature sea water for just five minutes."

"However, Natalia is a yoga expert and used meditation techniques to hold her breath and stay under water for an incredible ten minutes and 40 seconds."

Yoga. You run around naked and look good doing it; you swim around in water colder than an ice cube; and, you hold your breath for ten minutes? Why aren't we all doing this?
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