While various sourced debate the level to which Joughin was inebriated, it can be certain that he had at least some alcohol in his system when he entered the Atlantic Ocean. This fact may have simultaneously helped and hindered his survival.
Alcohol increases the risk of hypothermia in a few ways. It causes vasodilation, which results in increased blood flow to the skin leading to heat loss. It also disrupts the normal temperature regulation processes of the human body and inhibits the decision-making skills necessary to save oneself. However, when humans fall into cold water they rarely die of hypothermia.
In reality, they seldom live long enough to see their core body temperatures drop to critical levels, succumbing first to drowning or cardiac arrest. This is due to something called the cold shock response.
As well, the cold water triggers constriction of the blood vessels, leading to increases in blood pressure, and in some people, cardiac arrest. These effects subside within several minutes, only to be replaced by the effects of cold incapacitation. No matter what caused the Titanic to sink, such a massive loss of life could probably have been avoided if the ship had carried sufficient lifeboats for its passengers and crew.
But the White Star liner left Southampton with only 20 lifeboats, the legal minimum, with a total capacity of 1, people. Though Maurice Clarke, the civil servant who inspected the Titanic in Southampton, recommended it carry 50 percent more lifeboats, his handwritten notes at the time later revealed that he felt his job would be threatened if he did not give the famous ship the go-ahead to sail.
Due to the chaos that ensued after the Titanic struck an iceberg, the 20 lifeboats departed the ship with some empty seats, leaving more than 1, people to perish in the frigid ocean waters. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you.
Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Titanic: Before and After. Graphic by Raymond Wong. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom. Background Info Vocabulary. The largest and most luxurious ship in the world, the Titanic was also one of the most technologically advanced. The ship had 16 watertight compartments designed to keep it afloat if damaged. This led to the belief that the ship was unsinkable. However, only four days into its maiden voyage , the Titanic struck an iceberg near Newfoundland, Canada.
The collision damaged the ship and its watertight compartments. With a limited number of lifeboats, many passengers could not escape the ship.
Only hours after the collision, the Titanic sunk, taking about 1, passengers with her. The fate of the Titanic led to new international agreements to prevent future disasters, such as the creation of an International Ice Patrol that would alert ships of icebergs. In addition, the first International Convention of Safety of Life at Sea created new lifeboat regulations to protect the safety of passengers.
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