FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Anderson, EMT-P
Phone: (773) 631-ERRI
FAX: (773) 631-4703
According to Clark Staten, director of the Chicago-based Emergency Response & Research Institute, the next few days may be particularly dangerous for the homeless and those that are required to be outdoors for any extended period of time. Staten, who is the author of several articles concerning cold water drowning, hypothermia, and other cold injuries, said that there are several precautions that people can take in an effort to avoid cold weather injuries. These recommendations include:
2. Always wear a hat and/or scarf. As much as 70% or more of the body's heat can be lost through radiation and convection from an uncovered head.
3. Avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages. While often touted by the uneducated as being beneficial for the treatment of cold- weather injuries, alcohol actually can be detrimental to someone exposed to the cold. The person who consumes the alcohol may perceive that he or she is warmer, while in reality they may be contributing to their own cold injury.
4. Avoid wet clothing, shoes, or socks, as they may further contribute to a loss of body heat. Faster cooling results because of evaporation. Try to change wet footgear and clothing as soon as practically possible.
5. Insulated gloves and socks may help to prevent frostbite injuries to fingers and toes. Try to avoid direct skin contact with metal objects that have been exposed to the cold for extended periods.
6. A scarf or face mask may help to prevent frostbite injuries to the nose and ears. In combination with a warm hat, the wearing of these additional head and face coverings should serve to protect and retain heat.
7. Drink warm liquids like tea and hot chocolate. Sugar contained in these beverages helps the body to generate additional heat. Caffenated beverages may seem beneficial, but should be generally avoided, as they may contribute to heat loss.
Moderate hypothermia occurs when the person's body temperature drops below 90 F. Shivering stops and the muscular activity decreases. Particularly, fine muscle coordination becomes more difficult. For instance, actions involving deliberate movement of the fingers may become impossible.
As the body continues to cool, and the core temperature reaches below 85 F, the affected person will become lethargic and may not be able to assist him/herself . This is described as severe hypothermia and may, if left untreated, result in coma and the eventual death of the victim. As the person's temperature reaches 800 F, his/her vital signs begin to decrease. The pulse becomes slower and weaker. Respirations slow and cardiac irregularities may occur. Below 80 F, the body goes into what appears to be "complete shutdown". The affected person appears dead, even though they may still be successfully resuscitated if rewarmed and treated in a proper manner.
1. Move the person to a warm environment. Generally speaking, persons with cold weather injuries can't be treated outdoors. Do not try to rewarm a person "in the field" unless there is no other viable alternative. Be gentle with the movement of ANY hypothermic person. Rough handling can result in irreversible or fatal cardiac irregularities. Definitive rewarming must be accomplished from the "inside-out" and probably can only be done in a hospital emergency facility.
2. If the person is alert and shivering, they probably are only suffering from mild hypothermia. Move indoors, remove all wet clothing, and cover the person with a warm blanket. Warm fluids like soup, tea, and hot chocolate can be given by mouth, if the person can hold the cup/bowl by themselves.
3. If shivering has stopped, or the person is unconscious, severe hypothermia is probably present. A standard oral thermometer will not register when the person is severely hypothermic; a special rectal thermometer must be used to measure the patient's "core temperature". As previously mentioned, great care must be used in the movement of a person who is suffering from severe hypothermia. Emergency medical intervention is necessary when the person has suffered a severe cold weather insult.
4. It may be difficult or impossible to detect a pulse in the severely hypothermic person. It is possible that a carotid pulse of one (1) or two (2) beats per minute can be obtained by closely monitoring the vitals signs. To the lay person, the severely hypothermic patient will appear to be deceased. But...that doesn't mean that they ARE dead, just that they appear that way. People have been successfully resuscitated after several hours in a cold environment.
If there is ANY doubt about severity of a cold weather injury...immediately activate the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. In many localities , the telephone number 911 may used request the EMT's or Paramedics that will care for a severely hypothermic patient. Only by a better understanding of prevention and treatment methods, can the public be prepared to effectively deal with cold weather emergencies.
(* -- This article is not intended to provide specific diagnosis or treatment information. If you have ANY questions or concerns about cold weather injuries, you should immediately contact competent medical personnel.)
For additional information regarding cold weather emergencies and hypothermia, please contact ERRI/ENN at:
(c) Emergencynet NEWS Service, 1993-94. All rights reserved.
Emergency Response & Research Institute
6348 N. Milwaukee Ave., #312 Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 631-ERRI - Voice/Voice Mail
(773) 631-4703 - Fax
(773) 631-3950 - Computer/Modem-EMERGENCY BBS
An interesting link; The U.S. Army's answer to Cold Weather Operations:Click Here for the Army's Soldier's Magazine Cold Weather Operations Page