Lady spends two hours in cold British costal waters after being forced to abandon her lifejacket.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-10680853

Luck lady & determined.

Being somewhat diplomatic, I would say that it was here mental determination coupled with her rather large stature that did the "trick".

I remember when I was a kid hearing about an Icelandic guy, Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, who spent 6 hours in freezing icelandic waters and survived. He was also quite large.

http://www.vikingrune.com/2009/03/true-viking-grit/

Fat floats.

Fat insulates.

Fat helps you live longer in a famine situation.

(from my cats Black Bart and Vinnie)

Sue

"It sounds really girlie and really silly, but I had a moment of talking myself into just keeping on paddling."

A bit modest and maybe not entirely appreciative of her feat. Man or woman, deserves two thumbs up for keeping wits about her.