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Hypothermia Prevention

When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won't be able to do anything about it.

By knowing what winter storm warning terms mean it will help you plan and prevent cold exposure injury.

• Winter weather advisory: expect winter weather conditions to cause inconvenience and hazards.
• Frost/freeze warning: expect below-freezing temperatures.
• Winter storm watch: be alert; a storm is likely.
• Winter storm warning: take action; the storm is in or entering the area.
• Blizzard warning: seek refuge immediately! Snow and strong

What are "hypothermia" temperatures?

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures. Any temperature less than 98.6 degrees can be linked to hypothermia, if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, submersion in cold water, lying on cold ground, elderly in cold houses, or someone suffering from peripheral circulation problems.

What are the factors influencing cold injuries?

• Low ambient temperature
• Wind chill - increases rate of freezing dramatically
• Moisture - wet skin freezes at a higher temp than dry
• Age-The very young and the very old are more seceptable to injury
• Insulation
• Exposed skin
• Previous cold injuries
• Constricting garments
• Local pressure
• Cramped position
• Body type
• Dehydration
• Gender - women do better in cold than men (greater subcutaneous body fat)
• Caloric intake
• Diabetes and circulation problems
• Intake of alcohol , caffeine, drugs, tobacco, and other diuretics, depressants, or stimulants
• Contact with metal or super cooled liquids like fuels and solvents like gasoline
• Caffeine, nicotine
• Vasodilatation
• Vasoconstriction

What are the warning signs of Hypothermia?

Be on the lookout for the "-umbles." That's when a person mumbles, stumbles, fumbles and grumbles. All are symptoms of early hypothermia. If you see someone who is shivering uncontrollably, doesn't seem to be thinking straight, speaks with a slur, or has trouble holding onto objects, get them into a warm environment immediately. If the symptoms fail to improve within a short time, call a doctor or go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

Mild Hypothermia - core temperature 98.6 - 96 degrees F

• Shivering - not under voluntary control
• Can't do complex motor functions (ice climbing or skiing) can still walk & talk
• Vasoconstriction to periphery

Moderate Hypothermia - core temperature 95 - 93 degrees F

• Dazed consciousness
• Loss of fine motor coordination - particularly in hands - can't zip up parka, due to restricted peripheral blood flow
• Slurred speech
• Violent shivering
• Irrational behavior - Paradoxical Undressing - person starts to take off clothing, unaware their body is cold
• "I don't care attitude" - flattened affect

Severe Hypothermia - core temperature 92 - 86 degrees and below (immediately life threatening)

• Shivering occurs in waves, violent then pause, pauses get longer until shivering finally ceases - because the heat output from burning glycogen in the muscles is not sufficient to counteract the continually dropping core temperature, the body shuts down on shivering to conserve glucose
• Person falls to the ground, can't walk, curls up into a fetal position to conserve heat
• Muscle rigidity develops - because peripheral blood flow is reduced and due to lactic acid and CO2 buildup in the muscles
• Skin is pale
• Pupils dilate
• Pulse rate decreases
• At 90 degrees the body tries to move into hibernation, shutting down all peripheral blood flow and reducing breathing rate and heart rate.
• At 86 degrees the body is in a state of "metabolic icebox." The person looks dead but is still alive.

What are the ways to prevent cold injuries?

When you're exposed to the cold, the first line of defense is to wear layers of loose-fitting and dry clothing (wet clothing makes it difficult to maintain a normal body temperature). Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven and preferably wind resistant, to reduce the chance of body-heat loss caused by wind.. If you work in the cold, or exercise outside, wear clothing made of polypropylene, wool, or silk which will wick perspiration away from the skin and keep your body dry. Also, wear a hat and scarf. It's true that 40 to 50 percent of our body heat can be lost from the surface of the head and neck. This is especially true of infants and small children. It doesn't matter if you have a thick head of hair. You still need protection. Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

• Protect your hands and feet. Wear mittens when possible because your fingers can share warmth (regular gloves are good, but mittens have the edge.) Wear socks that will keep your feet dry and warm.
• Protect your lips. Use lip balm to keep your lips from drying out from the cold and windy weather.
• Avoid dehydration. As long as fluids are not restricted by your physician, drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol causes your body to lose heat, in addition to contributing to dehydration.
• Eat light. A snack before going out in the cold is better than a heavy meal, which requires a large blood flow to the gastrointestinal system to aid in digestion. The digestive process may prevent warm blood from circulating to your fingers and toes. Save the heavier meal for when you are safely back inside.
• Inquire about your medications. Ask your physician or pharmacist if any of the medications you take can make you more susceptible to a cold-weather illness.
• Protect yourself at home, Wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers. Use a blanket or afghan to keep legs and shoulders warm and wear a hat or cap indoors.
• Make sure your home is warm enough. Set your thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees. Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees can trigger hypothermia in older people.
• Additional suggestions:
• If you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don't overdo it.
• Avoid walking on ice or getting wet.
• Notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking, camping, or skiing.
• Be prepared to take emergency shelter. Pack dry clothing, a two-wave radio, waterproof matches and paraffin fire starters with you.
• Do not leave areas of the skin exposed to the cold.
• Avoid traveling on ice-covered roads, overpasses, and bridges if at all possible.
• If you are stranded, it is safest to stay in your car.

What to do if you suspect hypothermia.

The basic principles of re-warming a hypothermic victim are to conserve the heat they have and replace the body fuel they are burning up to generate that heat. If a person is shivering, they have the ability to re-warm themselves at a rate of 2 degrees C per hour. If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:

• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
• Warm the center of the body first; heat can be applied to major arteries at the neck for the carotid, at the armpits for the brachial, at the groin for the femoral, at the palms of the hands for the arterial arch.
  • Chemical heat packs provides 110 degrees F for 6-10 hours.
  • Hot water bottles, warm rocks, towels, compresses.
  • Body to body contact by getting into a sleeping bag or under blankets, in dry clothing with a non-hypothermic person in lightweight dry clothing.

• It is essential to keep a hypothermic person adequately hydrated and fueled

• • Feed Carbohydrates -  quickly released into blood stream for sudden brief heat surge - these are the best to use for quick energy intake especially for mild cases of hypothermia Proteins - slowly released - heat given off over a longer period
  • Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. For people in severe hypothermia, the stomach has shut down and will not digest solid food but can absorb water and sugars. Give a dilute mixture of warm water with sugar every 15 minutes. Dilute JelloTM works best. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. Do notgive full strength Jello even in liquid form, it is too concentrated and will not be absorbed.
• After body temperatures have increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• * Get medical attention as soon as possible.

What to do if you get stranded.

Staying in your vehicle when stranded is often the safest choice if winter storms create poor visibility or if roadways are ice covered. These steps will increase your safety when stranded:

• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna as a signal to rescuers and raise the hood of the car (if it is not snowing).
• Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area.
• Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers.
• Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.
• Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe-this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and stay warmer.
• Do not eat un-melted snow because it will lower your body temperature.
• Huddle with other people for warmth.