Have you ever had your tongue stuck to a frozen metal pole? This problem cannot be solved by simply pulling the tongue as hard as possible! Instead, you'll need to warm up the metal pole just enough to release the tongue. Whatever the cause for this incident to happen to you, there are several solutions so that your tongue can be released from the frozen pole, without pain.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Don't panic
The worst risk that can happen is that you tear your tongue from being forced to pull it. You can even get seriously injured. Therefore, take the time to think through your situation clearly. Find out if there are others near you who can help.
If anything, make sure they know you're not kidding and that your tongue is really sticking out
Step 2. Understand why tongue can stick to metal
Basically, your tongue sticks out because your saliva freezes. The reason why this happens so quickly on metals and not on other surfaces is that metals are good conductors. In order for the tongue to come off, you must heat the metal above freezing.
When you touch metal, it draws heat from the saliva quickly so that the surface it touches has the same temperature. This is called thermal equilibrium. This happens so quickly that it doesn't give the body a chance to make a difference in heat
Step 3. Make noise so others can come to help
This problem will be easier to solve if someone else helps you. Once someone arrives, tell him or her to bring some warm water and slowly pour it over your tongue.
Let go of your shyness to get help. Your situation may be embarrassing, but it's better for you to be a little embarrassed than to have your tongue hurt
Method 2 of 2: Removing Tongue From Frozen Metal
Step 1. Use warm water on the tongue and on the metal
Slowly pour warm water over the tongue, making sure the water is wet at the contact between the metal and the tongue. Warm water will raise the temperature of the metal and allow the saliva to melt.
- Do not let the water temperature is too hot. Don't let your tongue burn!
- Don't pour the water too fast. Pour slowly without stopping to warm the frozen touch area.
Step 2. Use your free hand to gently pull on the tongue
If your tongue is just slightly frozen, you can gently tug on it. However, if this process starts to hurt your tongue, stop and find another solution.
Fold the tongue and pull; hopefully this will get your tongue off the pole
Step 3. Breathe deeply and then blow hot air over your tongue
Let the hot air out over and over again until your tongue comes off the pole. Position both hands around the mouth so that the hot air around the tongue is maintained.