Method Would cold enough water cause unconsciousness before the actual drowning part sets in?

[prelapsarian]

Currently in the middle of a huge snowstorm. The lakes are frozen but given the warm weather immediately before this I could probably bust the ice open. That got me thinking, how fast would hypothermia set in and knock a person out if they were to dive in with no protection to the elements?

Eyeing drowning as my most viable method since my hanging plan fell apart (door too flimsy, nowhere else to suspend myself from), which sounds miserable, BUT easy to do since I don't know how to swim. Just dive in and it's already too late when my SI inevitably kicks in and I try to chicken out. I would ideally like a way to be unconscious or incapacitated while the actual "my lungs are full of water and I cannot breathe" part is happening. Don't have access to any tranquilizing substances...

 

[rkk3]

i would never do it in winter because a body stays alive longer in the cold you dont want that i have no problem dying as im awake because i wont feel helpless i know its going to end the pain is going to end i cant wait to drown if i have to

 

[Forveleth]

Most people die in cold water from drowning. The cold basically paralyzes you and you can not get yourself back to the surface for air. Cold water also makes you want to reflexively breathe, so many people try to "inhale" underwater.

Most people can only hold their breath for at most 30 seconds. Even in frigid water, you will most likely be conscious longer than that: "Even in ice cold water, the possibility of hypothermia does not arise for at least 30 minute in adults." (https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1113/EP086283)

Also, as mentioned above, cold water is actually protective. There had been people submerged for hours that have successfully been revived after being rescued and warmed.