Fan Death.... beware

So Korea can be a strange place... I have recently been intrigued with a Korean urban myth. And sadly I am disheartened by the fact that in such a technologically advanced country and with such a major emphasis put on math and science in the schools and haegwons here... one can only *sigh* and wonder. This phenomena I would like to discuss is called fan death. This belief is so widespread that the media not only cultivates this myth with is continued propagation, it wholeheartedly believes in it and has the backing of the government in its perpetuation. So anyway the belief is such: If you go to sleep with the fan pointed at your head, you can die.
There are a number of different explanations for this... 1) The fan cuts the O2 molecules inside the fan and you can't breathe and asphyxiate. 2) The cold air from the fan will cool your body so much you get hypothermia.
The media climbs on board with reports every summer of the many casualties of fan death backed with governmental statistics showing it to be on of the highest causes of death during the summer months.
Luckily, there is a simple method of prevention for this needless death: open your window! By opening your window, you create a steady flow of fresh oxygen. And just in case you forget to open your window... all fans in Korea come equipped with a timer that automatically turns the fan off... so you can't die and hold them responsible. They also have warnings printed on the fan warning against fan death.
And now just when you are sitting there thinking to yourself... well, I'll just sleep in my car, think again! Fan death happens in cars with windows closed, too! And it is for that reason, that most taxi drivers don't use the A/C in their taxis, or if they do, they will crack the window open to ensure that uncut, uncooled oxygen can keep everyone alive. This is not purely a folk legend... doctors, professors, educated people and common people alike all believe in this myth. Here are a couple of videos showing just how widespread this belief is... Until next time!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs0b2vBfSrM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLAfVbrd3iM