A Frenchman has set a world-record for being immersed in ice for the longest period of time, and it was all part of a mission to raise money for the fight against children with cancer.
Frenchman Romain Vandendorpe was immersed in cubes of ice for a remarkable 2 hours, 35 minutes and 43 seconds, a full 40 minutes longer than the former world-record. All of the money raised from the feat from sponsors and well-wishers will be donated to the charity the 'Wonder Augustine Association' which seeks new treatments and cures for children suffering from brainstem cancer. The charity was set up in the town of Watterlos, France, following the death of a 4-year-old girl from brainstem cancer who lived in the town. This was also the town in which Romain completed his remarkable feat.
The 34-year-old put in a huge amount of training before taking on the task, preparing himself both mentally and physically for 2-years beforehand. Part of his training involved sitting in a 500-litre-freezer, going into an ice-jacuzzi and burying himself in the snow.
He said that after months of training, he was able to put himself into a dream-like state and therefore avoid the pain and discomfort that most people would feel under such circumstances.
"I train in a 500-liter freezer: you fill it with water, plug it in for 3 hours a night, then in the morning you break the ice with a screwdriver and a hammer and you immerse yourself between 20 and 45 minutes, 3 times per week. I wouldn't say masochist, I would rather say adventurer: I want to see where the limits of the human body lie."
Romain also believes that being in the cold can actually improve the immune system and that cold showers, even for those of us not undertaking such a task of endurance, can still improve our health. He said:
"I realized that it made me feel good. We went further and further, until we trained at altitude near Chamonix. We know for example that a minute of cold shower at the end of your hot shower for 6 weeks, it increases your immune system by 70%!"
He added:
"I have not been to see a doctor since 2016. There is the cold of course, but there are also physical practice and diet which come into play. In short, lifestyle habits that allow us to have a strategy of good health rather than a strategy of disease."
Romain, who himself works as a health-professional, has received wide-praise for his actions and will now enter the Guinness World Records.
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