Thanks a lot for posting this, it is a great reminder of how quick you become incapacitated and helpless in the grip of hypothermia. Myself, I've never been that far out. I've been somewhat chilled and cold, but never to the point of shaking or being incapacitated. Frankly, I don't want to either... I read your description and try to learn from your experience

This is a great opportunity to revive the old finger dexterity test of hypothermia: Can your thumb and little finger touch? If not it's time to take action to heat up.

On a side related note to your ice bear swim: If you walk on ice, carry two ice picks. A pair of screwdrivers tied together with 3 feet of line is a nice and inexpensive pair of ice picks. Just hang the line over your neck and tuck the picks in a front pocket, easily accessible. A distant friend-of-a-friend just saved someones life with his pair: He saw someone walk out on thin ice and plunge through. He was able to get as close as 20 feet of where this guy was struggling for his life in icy water, tossed him the ice picks and the guy was able to self extract. You've got only a few minutes before you're totally zapped of strength in that situation. Self extraction is next to impossible without ice picks.