Question

People that have nearly drowned in cold water can sometimes be revived. However, people that have been in warm water for the equivalent amount of time have died. Explain in terms of rates of reaction.

Now obviously reactions occur faster in warmer temperatures (warm water). Can someone explain how this effects water in the lungs, etc?

Answer 1

In very cold water the body just about shuts down. Heart rates plunge, breathing essentially stops, etc etc.
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/26/science/the-doctor-s-world-ingenuity-and-a-miraculous-revival.html?pagewanted=all