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[–] 9 points 8 months ago (8 children)

Is that an actual, existing survival myth?

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  • [–] 27 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    I mean, it definitely makes you warmer. In that it shunts your blood to the outer layer of your body, warming your skin and making you feel less cold. Problem is, this actually makes you lose heat more rapidly, and increases your susceptibility to hypothermia. But since you can experience "drink alcohol, feel warmer" yourself, the myth will probably persist indefinitely.

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  • [–] 7 points 8 months ago

    Yes. It's where the old meme of St Bernards carrying little flasks of alcohol came from. The idea was if you were injured in the cold, alcohol would warm you up.

    You may feel warmer. But it actually lowers your core temp, IIRC.

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