Water conducts heat away from the body faster than how many times compared to air?

Water conducts heat away from the body approximately 20 times faster than air. This significant difference in heat conduction is due to water's higher thermal conductivity compared to air. When immersed in water, the body loses temperature much more rapidly because water molecules can move and transfer energetic collisions more efficiently than the molecules in air.

This phenomenon is particularly important for divers to consider, as it impacts their exposure to hypothermia during dives. The heat loss occurs not only because of the higher thermal conductivity but also because water has a greater heat capacity, meaning it can absorb more heat from the body before being warmed itself. Understanding this property of water is crucial for planning dives and ensuring divers wear appropriate thermal protection, such as wetsuits or drysuits, to mitigate heat loss.