Why does water of 30°c feel cold but air of 30°c feel hot?

Question

I would assume it has something to do with body hair. If so, does it change anything for more hairy or less hairy humans?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Water can full heat away from your body about 800 times faster than air. The same temperature difference between you and the water will pull a lot more heat out of you than if it’s you vs air.

This is the same reason why there is a maximum safe time to sit in a hot tub. You can sit out all day in 104° air. You’ll be uncomfortable, but if you have enough water, you’ll be OK. A 104° hot tub, is a different story.