99TravelSafe.com
82 – Preventing and Treating Hypothermia!
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WINTER weather conditions in the mountains can be EXTREME!
An INADEQUATELY clothed person can get hypothermia LOW internal body temperature!
Hypothermia can be DEADLY – learn to recognize the early symptoms. Keep warm and dry!
Hypothermia results from exposure to LOW temperatures, wind and moisture over a period of time. It can occur on the ski hill, in a car, falling in water that is cold or anywhere else where these factors exist that cause the body temperature to fall BELOW normal!
When conditions exist to pose a risk of hypothermia be observant and seek MEDICAL attention IMMEDIATELY if you suspect or observe any symptoms which can include;
-- Complaints about being COLD
-- Irritability.
-- Uncontrollable shivering
-- Impaired or slurred speech or vision
-- Clumsy movements
-- Blurred vision!
SEVERE symptoms can include stiff muscles, dark and puffy skin, irregular heart and breathing rates and unconsciousness!
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should get the person to a WARM, DRY place as soon as possible! Remove any WET clothing and seek medical attention! IMMEDIATELY! Never rub the skin!
Bundling in a blanket will HELP keep the heat IN!
An always soothing parent/child cuddle will help warm up the child and also bring comfort to both!
Hypothermia in Water;
Immersion in cold water kills in several ways. The colder the water temperature, the greater the threat! Understanding your body’s reaction to cold water and the four stages of immersion will increase your ability to respond appropriately!
STAGE 1: Cold Shock;
This response begins immediately upon immersion and will peak within the first 30 seconds to 5 minutes! The response varies among individuals and is most acute in those sensitive to cold. It can EVEN occur in water at 77°F(25°C).
The body systems affected are your breathing and circulation. Breathing changes are immediate with involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, dizziness and confusion - resulting in water inhalation and possible drowning!
Circulatory changes are a sudden rise in heart rate and blood pressure – possibly resulting in stroke or heart attack!
STAGE 2: Swim Failure;
Having survived Stage 1, a person must attempt to self-rescue, stay afloat if without a lifejacket or swim to safety within the next 30 minutes!
The nerves and muscles in the arms and legs cool quickly because of the constriction in blood flow.
Manual dexterity, strength of handgrip and movement speed will drop 60 percent to 80 percent. This limits a person’s ability to swim or assist in his own rescue by catching a rope or climbing a ladder.
STAGE 3: Hypothermia;
Immersion in water with a temperature BELOW body temperature presents a significant thermal threat to the human body. Heat transfer from the body to the water is FAST, with skin temperatures quickly cooling to water temperatures. When the cooling goes beyond the skin and limbs and reaches the inner organs of the body core, it is called hypothermia!
Hypothermia develops after 30 minutes if cooling is not stopped. A variety of symptoms affect the body by rendering the person unable to survive by staying afloat, clinging to a boat, swimming or treading water!
The SYMPTOMS follow a predictable progression;
-- Shivering is the first sign and becomes vigorous with continued exposure!
-- Skin color becomes flushed initially, but later on may turn blue.
-- Slurred speech.
-- Clumsiness and poor coordination!
-- Withdrawn and apathetic.
-- Heart rate and blood flow slow down.
-- Limbs become stiff as muscles get rigid.
-- Mental confusion.
-- Shivering CEASES as body is NO longer able to rewarm itself!
-- Unconsciousness eventually occurs.
-- Heart failure may occur but drowning usually occurs first.
STAGE 4: Rescue and Post Immersion Responses;
Survivors being removed or rescued from the water face significant physiological changes in blood volume and distribution (this affects the heart and circulation). Rescue techniques and proper treatment of immersion victims is very important. The victim will need CARE from a knowledgeable medical team and hospital. Handle victims gently and minimize movement!
Wrap the person in blankets to prevent further heat loss and transport him/her to the nearest medical facility in a warm vehicle!
SURVIVING COLD WATER IMMERSION;
A lifejacket is critical to survival. Wear it at all times!
Try to avoid entering the water. If you must enter the COLD water, do it SLOWLY!
If experiencing cold shock, hold onto something until breathing settles down.
Keep your head, neck and face OUT of the COLD water!
Get OUT of the cold water as soon as possible! Climb aboard a boat or on top of an overturned boat if you are unable to right it!
Do not attempt to swim for shore as this will cause greater exposure to the water unless you are in a stream or river current!
Assume the heat escape lessening position (H.E.L.P. or Huddle) to protect the body core organs: While floating in a lifejacket, draw your knees together toward your chest and hold your upper arms tightly to your sides!
Remain as still as possible. Excessive MOVEMENT in cold water COOLS the body 35 times faster. Thrashing flushes the warmer water away from the body!
Clothing provides some protection against heat loss in water, especially a waterproof outer layer. Do NOT attempt to REMOVE clothing, which traps water that is WARMED by the body’s heat!
Carry a blanket, hat and extra dry clothing on board!
Survivors should stay well hydrated and replenish their energy needs.
PREVENTION and TREATMENT of HYPOTHERMIA;
Always DRESS for the water temperature and prepare for COLD water immersion.
Particularly protect the head, neck, sides, and groin, which are high heat-loss areas!
Wear a wetsuit or drysuit if your water activity involves exposure to cold water!
When wetsuits or drysuits are impractical due to warm air temperature, dress in several layers of clothing under your lifejacket.
Treatment of MILD to MODERATE Hypothermia;
(If emergency medical help is NOT at hand)
-- Add layers of dry clothing.
-- Increase physical activity.
-- Find shelter!
-- Keep the hypothermic person fed and hydrated!
-- Carbohydrates, with five calories per gram, are released QUICKLY in the bloodstream, creating a momentary heat SURGE. Proteins, with four calories per gram, and fats, containing nine calories per gram, are SLOWLY released into the bloodstream!
-- These types of food supply a HEAT source over a longer period of time. Hot liquids and sugars are ALSO good!! Avoid caffeine, tobacco/nicotine, and alcohol!
-- Add heat (light a fire or use some other external heat source). Try body-to-body contact. The hypothermic person should be in dry clothing, preferably in a sleeping bag.
Treatment of SEVERE Hypothermia;
(If emergency medical help is NOT at hand)
--Try a hypothermia wrap. Be sure that the hypothermic person is dry and has a layer of clothing to minimize sweating. Use multiple sleeping bags, wool blankets, wool clothing, and an aluminum "space" blanket to create at least FOUR inches of insulation around the person, especially between the person and the ground. Wrap this entire ensemble in plastic to prevent wind or water intrusion.
-- Keep the hypothermic person hydrated AND fueled!
-- A severely hypothermic person will be unable to digest solid food because the stomach may have shut down. Try warm sugar-water or diluted Jello.
-- The hypothermic person will have to urinate from cold diuresis; a full bladder can mean additional heat loss!
-- Urinating will conserve some heat!
-- You will have to HELP the hypothermic person do this. Be careful to wrap him/her back up tightly in the hypothermia wrap when finished!
-- ADD heat using chemical heat packs, hot water bottles, warm rocks, or compresses. Rescue breathing for the severely hypothermic person can increase oxygen and provide internal heat!
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO;
Stay dry- Stay warm - Dress in layers - Be mindful of windchill - Take breaks from the cold - Get medical help - Move the person to a sheltered place as soon as possible - Remove wet clothing - Warm the person gradually - Give the person warm drinks and high energy foods - Stay with the person and talk to him/her - Begin CPR if person shows NO sign of life!