It’s that time of year when the temperatures drop and many of us start wearing warmer clothes. I want to cover a few things to keep in mind just in case you find yourself stranded out in the cold.
Those of you who live in the south may think this isn’t important, but I think it is almost more important that you’re aware. People who live where it gets cold deal with it every year. But if you ever travel to where it gets cold, you need to be aware of a few things.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can create it. Normal body temperature is 98.6 and hypothermia sets in when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. It is most often caused by exposure to cold air, water or even cold wind. Many people have a misconception that it needs to be frigidly cold to get hypothermia, but it can happen from long exposure to temperatures of less than 50 degrees as well. The elderly and infirm are more susceptible to hypothermia indoors at cold temperatures than younger and healthier people.
Some of the symptoms of hypothermia are:
- Shivering ; constant shivering is a key sign of hypothermia
- Clumsiness
- Slurred speech
- Apathy; lack of concern for one’s condition
- Muscle stiffness
- Drowsiness
The treatment for hypothermia depends on the severity of it. For mild cases of hypothermia getting out of the cold environment and using blankets and heaters to raise the body’s temperature can be effective. Moderate to severe hypothermia is best treated in the hospital where special treatments can be used to warm the body’s core temperature.
Frostbite
Frostbite is when the skin and tissue just underneath the skin freeze. It usually affects small exposed areas of skin. Minor frostbite can be treated at home by slowly warming the skin with warm water. Severe frostbite requires medical attention as it can damage skin, muscle and bone. It can also cause nerve damage.
Some of the symptoms of frostbite are:
- A slightly painful or itching sensation
- A cold or burning sensation
- Numbness
- Blistering in severe cases
- Clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness
The first stage of frostbite is called frost-nip and presents as cold red skin. Continued exposure can result in a slightly painful or itching sensation.
The second stage of frostbite or superficial frostbite appears as reddened skin that turns white or pale; some ice crystals might form on the skin. Skin might begin to feel deceptively warm, which is a sign of serious skin involvement. Warming the skin at this stage might cause stinging, burning or swelling. The skin might also appear blue or purple.
The third stage of frostbite or severe, deep frostbite will affect all layers of skin including the tissue below. Deceptive numbness may be experienced, in which all sensation of cold or pain is lost. Large blisters appear 24-48 hours after warming and, as the tissue dies, it will turn black and hard.
Medical attention should be sought if there are signs or symptoms of superficial or severe frostbite, or if there is increased pain, swelling, redness or discharge in the frostbitten area.
Five Ways in Which the Body Loses Heat
Conduction
One of the ways in which we lose heat is from contact with something that is colder than we are, for example, sitting on the cold ground. The heat from our bodies will transfer into the ground, thus making us cooler.
Radiation
Another way we lose heat is by radiating it to the open air. In the cold our 98.6 body temperature is much warmer than the air around us. We can trap that heat by wearing clothing and a hat and gloves.
Convection
Convection is similar to radiation, in that the air is used to steal heat, but it has to do with air movement. Think of the wind or a fan. In cold climates where the wind is blowing, this is called wind chill. The temperature isn’t any colder, but because of the wind it feels like it is.
Respiration
When you breathe in cold air your body warms it, when you exhale you give off some of that warmth. Trudee’s asthma can be bothered by breathing in cold air; placing a scarf over her mouth to help warm the air seems to help some.
Evaporation
When our bodies get too warm, we perspire to help regulate our core temperature. On a hot day this is a good thing, but sweating on a cold day can be deadly. Dressing in layers and removing layers as you begin to sweat can help control evaporation.
Car Kits
For many of us, where ever we go, our vehicle is not far away. Every year I read new stories of someone who went off the road and was stranded for an extended time. If this happens to you, having a Car Kit can ensure that you have the supplies you need to sustain life until you’re rescued.
One last note; I have read stories where someone was stranded and perished after a time. When they were found, their vehicle was intact. One of the things that should be in your car kit is a knife, you can use that knife to take the upholstery off and either use it as a blanket, or to use it as insulation over a cold window. You may hate the idea of destroying your vehicle, but the upholstery can be fixed once you make it home alive.
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