Surviving The Cold and Avoiding Hypothermia
January 23, 2009
Dressing in layers and covering exposed skin is important steps to keeping warm and avoiding cold emergencies.
Watching the miracle plane ditching in the Hudson River last week on the news my mind started running through what I would do if I were responding to such a call. Given that there was so few injuries from the crash the threat of hypothermia was next on the list.
Hypothermia is when your core body temperature drops to 95 or bellow and if not treated can lead to life threatening conditions. Especially while participating in outdoor activities one needs to be aware of the risks. While we often think of dead of winter with the mercury dropping below zero as the time such events could happen other times of the year we may underestimate conditions that could lead to hypothermia. Getting wet whether it is falling in or getting soaked in a rainstorm are classic situations that lead to hypothermia.
A person suffering from hypothermia will have; uncontrollable shivers where the body is attempting to generate heat, Loss of coordination to do simple tasks, Slurring of their speech, Respiration may slow down and be shallow, confused, be cold to the touch, be lethargic or sleepy.
What types of symptoms usually occur?
The symptoms are typically a slow progression. The sufferer often is not aware that they may need medical attention.
* Cold: hands, feet, face……
* Fatigue / Sleepiness
* Shivering (not always seen in older adults)
* Confusion / Mental Status Change
* The”-umbles,” (stumbles, mumbles, grumbles and fumbles)
* Shallow / Slow Respiration (late sign)
* Weak Pulses and Low Blood Pressure (late sign)In the very young these symptoms can occur in even mildly cold environments. For example a child who sleeps in a very cool room without proper clothing on can develop hypothermia and mimic other medical emergencies. This is also a potential problem for the elderly and those with peripheral vascular and neurological issues. If the person doesn’t feel the loss of heat they won’t know to go to a warmer environment or take other actions.
Reacting quickly to these signs or a situation that could lead to hypothermia is important. Often times when we hear of lost people dieing from “exposure” most often its hypothermia that has killed them. Avoiding hypothermia for the most part is pretty easy if you plan ahead and react properly to situations that put you at risk.
Layering clothing has long been the preferred method for dressing for the conditions and little has changed other then better material is now available to keep us comfortable. First lawyer should be capable of wicking moisture away from our body to help keep us dry. The additional layers are designed to trap air that helps better insulate us. The top layer should be wind and moisture proof to keep you dry. Protecting your head and extremities is also vital to maintaining your core body temperature.
Other factors like wind chill, rain, sleet or snow can contribute to the risk of hypothermia.
Besides being properly dressed people need to be prepared to take other steps to get warm including building a fire. Having the ability and the skill to build a fire could save your life. Everyone going afield should have a survival kit that includes a couple of methods to build a fire. In a latter edition will talk about survival kits and the items they should include.
Falling into water or getting soaked can lead to very rapid cooling and heat loss. In situations like this you must get warm and dry quickly. This is a true emergency and if you’re by yourself you need to react quickly before you lose the ability to.
I was ice fishing many years ago when one of the guys fishing with me fell through the ice and into water up to his mid thigh. We quickly got him out but the blue jeans he was wearing froze almost instantly. We were able to build a fire, someone had a spare pair of socks he could put on, and he basically stood by the fire in his long johns with a stick holding his jeans over the fire to dry them out.
If your doing something and you start to shiver you need to find a way to warm up immediately. Make sure you stay hydrated, avoid alcohol (because it makes you feel warm when you actually are not), keep a close eye on those around you especially children and older adults who may not be aware of the signs of hypothermia. Be careful out there and stay warm.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
This is a good post to read especially this time of the year. We tend to disregard signs that could be symptoms and then it’s to late.