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In the article, How To Dress for Cold Weather Adventures, I addressed how to dress for cold weather activities.  In this article, I will discuses what happens when you don’t follow my advice.

 

Hypothermia, sometimes referred simply as “exposure”, is a lowering of the body’s core temperature caused by over-exposure to cool or cold air or water.  Most people know that extremely cold weather can cause problems and therefore most hypothermia cases are not seen during the winter months.  Most cases of hypothermia occur during the spring, summer and fall because people do not recognize that it does not take sub-zero conditions to cause hypothermia.

 

There are three major factors that cause hypothermia: cold, water, and wind.  In a cold environment, the body must work harder to regulate heat.  Body heat is lost in one of or the combination of three ways; convection, conduction and evaporation.  Contact with cold air, water, snow, ground or wet clothing will cause heat loss due to conduction.  Submersion in water will cause heat lost due to conduction and convection. While loss of body heat by evaporation is a major contributor as well.  Wet skin or clothing can cool the body quickly through evaporation, especially if it is windy and or cold.  Wind, in the absence of moisture will cause heat loss due to convection, and will accelerate heat loss due to evaporation.

 

While the basic effects of air or water induced hypothermia are similar, the speed of which hypothermia set in differs.  A person immersed in moderately cold water can have a drop of core temperature more quickly that a person exposed to cold ambient temperatures and wind.  50 degree water can drain a body’s heat quickly, often lowering the core temperature to less than 90 degrees in the first 15 min.  Shivering sets in quickly in an attempt to increase body temperature.  However, as the body continues to lose heat, the person will soon become unconscious and if the person is not wearing a proper flotation device, drowning is a common outcome. With air or wind induced hypothermia, depending on air temperature and wind speed, the symptoms may not be so apparent.  During the primary stage of hyperthermia, the victim may not acknowledge that there is a problem. Progression begins with a natural sense of cold accompanied by shivering.  A feeling of numbness then occurs while shivering increases to where it’s soon uncontrollable. Speech is garbled or incoherent, and the thought process slows. Body movements are erratic, and uncovered skin swells and appears blue. Unconsciousness follows and death can occur if the cooling is allowed to continue.  

 

The treatment for hypothermia is the same regardless of the cause.  It requires that the body core temperature be raised to a normal level.  Some recommended suggestions include:

  • Removing wet or damp clothing
  • Placed into a sleeping bag along with someone who is not suffering from the same symptoms
  • Huddling near a fire or some other heat source.  Care must be taken here because, if frost bite has set in, the victim may not be able to feel the heat from the fire and a bad burn may result
  • If available, place warm containers in the arm pits and groin of the victim.  Place a dry hat and socks on the victim if available.
  • DO NOT GIVE ALCOHOL
  • If the condition is so severe that it appears that the victim is not breathing, start CRP and maintain a proper airway.  Do not stop the CRP.  If possible, have someone else continue the warming attempts while CPR is in progress.  Most often, a person who is in severe hypothermia will respond to CRP once the body core temperature raises. 
  • If the victim stops shivering but appears to still be hypothermic, he may be experiencing the onset of shock.  The treatment is the same as for hyporthermia except raising the legs above the heart is a good first step. 
  • Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

  To prevent hypothermia, simply follow this advice:

  • Dress properly for current and possible conditions. Have at least one wool garment for the upper and lower parts of your body. Wool is the only material with any insulating value when wet. Carry or wear a windproof, waterproof garment. Always have a wool hat and wool mittens. Have extra clothing available especially mittens and hats. A large proportion of body heat is lost through the head. Wear suitable boots, insulated if necessary; wear wool socks, and always carry extra wool socks. Avoid getting overheated and perspiring; this cools you down – fast. Wear layers and remove clothing as necessary. Better having extra than too little. Dress sensibly and expect the worst
  • Sit out bad weather. Better waiting than be overtaken by a blizzard or thunderstorm. Do not push on through the night. Make camp early and rest thoroughly. You can continue tomorrow with a much greater safety margin.  Do not get exhausted. Exhaustion promotes heat loss, and thus hypothermia. Besides, if your exhausted, you are probably drenched
  • Do not get in over your head. If your experience is limited to day hikes on moderate trails, do not try to go out and tackle Mt. Washington in February. Be smart. Learn to use a map and compass. Learn fire starting techniques. Learn first-aid. Be calm. Be prepared
  • Be prepared for sudden weather changes especially at elevations
  • Lastly, learn about hypothermia. Know the causes, warning signs, and treatment. Learn how not to get cold.

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