U.S. Airways A320 lands in Hudson River

[Cowboys 4 life]

so I was thinking...that water must have freakin' cold.

Yup, water temp was 40F and the air was 20F!

So would it have been better to have been in the water at 40F or on the wing at 20F

[Guru13]

so I was thinking...that water must have freakin' cold.

Yup, water temp was 40F and the air was 20F!

So would it have been better to have been in the water at 40F or on the wing at 20F

I think I'd have put everything but my head under water, if you stand up, it ain't gonna take long for that stuff to freeze, plus you're already wet so...

[lmcjaho]

So would it have been better to have been in the water at 40F or on the wing at 20F

I'm sorry, did you miss the part where the water in question was the HUDSON RIVER!?!?!?!?

Pretty easy question to answer when that little factor is taken into consideration, no?

[scottaa1]

water will conduct heat away from your body faster than air...

[knapplc]

water will conduct heat away from your body faster than air...

Yeah, I'm surprised this question was even asked. You guys asking about the water/air should watch a couple of episodes of Survivorman.

[Metroid]

I think I'd have put everything but my head under water, if you stand up, it ain't gonna take long for that stuff to freeze, plus you're already wet so...

....you would die faster.

Like scott said water will conduct heat away from your body faster than air...even if your clothes are already wet. Submerging yourself up to your neck is the last thing you would want to do.