HYPOTHERMIA
You should have no problem with Hypothermia if your body can continue to produce sufficient heat to compliment the heat loss to the cold. If the heat loss exceeds heat production, you are a candidate for hypothermia.
TO PREVENT HYPOTHERMIA
This is by far the MOST important thing to learn !!
stay dry
avoid cold
get lots of rest
avoid wind
eat well
stay active
SO.......
- Have warm dry clothing available. Natural insulation might be availabe in the wilderness (Cat Tails make great insulation if you have the patience to pick them !!)
- Keep an emergency space blanket in your Survival Kit (Dollar Store....$1.00)
- Find shelter & heat when you still have enough energy left. Build your shelter when your mind is still sharp
- If possible, avoid perspiring
- Because of the numerous blood vessels in the head, the majority of heat is lost this way, so ALWAYS wear a hat !!
- Turn back, seek shelter, avoid hypothermia !!!!
- C=Clean...Keep yourself and your clothes clean
- O=Overheating...Ovoid this !
- L=Layers...Wear your clothes Loose & in Layers
- D=Dry...Always stay Dry
STAGES OF HYPOTHERMIA
SHIVERING - This is the first indication that there is a small drop in the core temperature of the body and that heat loss from the body exceeds heat production. Shivering will start at a core temperature just below 98.6°. This is the first sign of a mild hypothermia and the person will start to be in a withdrawn state. This is a VERY good warning that heat loss needs to be reduced
If your core temperature is 33°C-35°C you will have:
- Intense shivering. Trembling hands
- Difficulty in speaking, memory lapse, lack of concentration, cannot think logically, and becomes indecisive.
- Exhaustion and drowsiness
- Loss of coordination, stumbling, falling, and inability to use hands.
- Accidents from the lack of coordination can occur. You might have an accident on the trail, not be able to build a shelter, put up your tent or unroll your sleeping bag. These are the early stages of hypothermia and hopefully your partner will recongnize the symptoms and prepare a shelter, build a fire and give your some carbohydrates
NOTE...This is why the Buddy System is even that much more important at a Winter Camp, you may not recognize some of the symptoms yourself !!!Br>
- TENSE MUSCULAR RIGIDITY - This is the second stage in hypothermia when the core temperature drops to 30°C - 33°C and shivering decreases
- Your muscles become tense and rigid.
- Your thinking will be impared
- You cannot speak, but can still walk
- The fact that you have stopped shivering should tell you that your core temperature is still falling
- At 32°C or lower, the heart beat can fall to 3-4 beats a minute.
- BODY'S GRADUAL FAILURE - Below 30°C, depending on your physical condition, the body chemistry begins to change and major problems can occur:
- Pulse & respiration slows down
- May fall into a coma
- Behaviour becomes uncoordinated and irrational and can evolve into lethargy
- You will require assistance to stop the continued falling of the core temperature
- UNCONSCIOUSNESS - The core temperature is below 27°C and will result in a deep unconsciousness.
- Reflexes wil be dramatically reduced & breathing is difficult
- Heartbeat will be erratic and the pulse weaker
- Cardiac arrhythmian may be noted
- If you are warmed up at this stage your core temperature will continue falling and nothing can be done in a wilderness surival situation/i>
- DEATH - Around 25°C, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems fail. This is followed by pulmonary edema and ventricular fibrillation adn the cardiac standstill
TREATING HYPOTHERMIA
- Get the victim out of adverse weather into a shelter that is dry and not in the wind. If the victim is in the water, get them out as soon as possible !!
- Replace wet clothing with dry clothing or put them in a dry sleeping bag. You may even consider joining the victim in the sleeping bag to use your body heat to warm them up.
- Give the victim some warm liquid or soup. THis will help increase the core temperature from the inside. A more rapid way to heat the inside of the body is to have the victim inhale steam from boiling water as it will heat the heart & lungs. Make sure that they are not too close to the source of the steam, asit may cause scalding and damage to the lungs & airways !!!!
- Do not give alcohol as it will open the blood vessels near the skin which will dissipate heat and less heat will be available for the key body organs. PLEASE NOTE ..Alcohol should never be present at any Guiding Event, but this point has been included here for any others who may be reading this page, as this is an important point to remember !!
- GET MEDICAL ATTENTION !!
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