This text was developed to acompany that in the file WINTCM.TXT. It discusses situations that might occur on winter camp outs, how to avoid them and what to to if they do happen. Please send coments to Gene Haning, 71501,1173. HYPOTHERMIA Hypothermia comes from two Greek words meaning "low heat." It is the condition that develops when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it. Oddly enough, most cases of hypothermia occur when the temperature is not extremely cold, usually between 30 and 50 degrees F., and even as high as 70 F. Hyopthermia can kill! Thus it is very important to understand it--how it occurs, the signs and symptoms, what to do if it occurs and, most important, how to prevent it. Causes of hypothermia include: EXTREME COLD Prolonged exposure to MILD COLD IMMERSION IN COLD WATER WIND CHILL WETNESS Other factors that increase the risk of hypothermia include: ILLNESS FATIGUE DEHYDRATION AGE (old age or infancy) ALCOHOL Certain MEDICATIONS The symptoms of hypothermia are: SHIVERING--This is usually the first sign of hypothermia BUT DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR. Elderly persons, those with abnormal body reaction, and individuals on certain medicines or using alcohol MAY NOT SHIVER. DIFFICULTY PREFORMING USUALLY SIMPLE TASKS--such as zipping clothing or tying a knot. Later symptoms: SLURRED SPEECH STUMBLING CONFUSED THINKING SHIVERING MAY STOP WEAKNESS, FATIGUE DROWSINESS WEAK PULSE SHALLOW BREATHING Advanced symptoms: MUSCLES BECOME RIGID HEART BEAT IRREGULAR LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS DEATH Symptoms in the elderly may also include: BLOATED FACE PALE OR ODDLY PINK SKIN TREMBLING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BODY OR IN ONE ARM OR LEG OR STIFFNESS It must be noted that a person suffering from hypothermia will usually deny that they are. If they have entered the second stage (slurred speech, etc.) they appear and act drunk. In this stage or beyond, a person CANNOT HELP HIMSELF AND MUST HAVE HELP FROM ANOTHER PERSON. If hypothermia occurs, treatment must begin as soon as the first signs are noticed. Complete recovery is usual in most cases, if treatment begins soon enough. Severe hypothermia can cause life-threatening damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs. GET VICTIM TO A WARM PLACE-- a shelter if possible. If you must stay outside, WRAP THE VICTIM (ESPECIALLY THE HEAD), protect from wind and keep off the ground, if possible. In an outdoor setting the best shelter may be a SLEEPING BAG. REMOVE THE VICTIMS CLOTHES AND PUT HIM IN A BAG WITH ANOTHER PERSON (ALSO STRIPPED) AND WITH 2 OTHER IF POSSIBLE. Skin to skin contact is the most effective treatment. HANDLE VICTIM AS GENTLY AND AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE DO NOT RUB OR MASSAGE THE VICTIM'S SKIN If possible give victim warm, high energy liquids (i.e. cocoa) Give artificial respiration if necessary Give CPR if necessary and you are properly trained GET VICTIM TO PROFESSIONAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Prevention of hypothermia includes recognizing the causes and prevention the or preparing for them. Reschedule activities to avoid exposure to extreme cold and learn to dress properly and provide adequate shelter for outside activities in mild cold and wind chill. Controlled activity can also prevent over exertion, fatigue and sweating. Avoid areas where there may be thin ice with water below. High energy foods provide the fuel your body needs to produce heat. Warm drinks help maintain body temperature rather than deplete it as cold drinks do. Drink plenty of liquids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Do not eat snow for moisture. Every person should watch, not only themselves but, every other person around them for signs of hypothermia and take action even if the person with symptoms says he is OK. FROSTBITE Frostbite is caused by exposure of inadequately protected flesh to sub-freezing temperatures. Symptoms: LOSS OF FEELING DEAD WHITE APPEARANCE Treatment: RESTORE BODY TEMPERATURE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE--immersion in warm (less then 110 degrees F) is best. Keep victim and especially effected area covered. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Prevention: Each person must be aware of his own body and take action if any part becomes cold or numb. Fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks are especially susceptible to frostbite. All members of the party should watch other members for signs of frostbite. SNOW BLINDNESS Snow blindness occurs when the eyes are "burned" by the intense rays of the sun reflected from the snow. The best prevention is glasses or goggles that filter ultra-violet rays. If snow blindness occurs, cover eyes and get victim to professional help as soon as possible. LOST OR INJURED If you become lost STOP AND THINK. Sit down and consider everything you have been doing. If you remain calm you may find you are not lost at all. LOOK AROUND. You may recognize a landmark or object that will tell you where you are. If you are indeed lost REMAIN CALM. Sit down and assess the situation. The best bet is to remain where you are until help arrives. Prepare to spend the night. Gather firewood and make a shelter. Do all you can to say warm but remember that physical activity and tension cause you to sweat and make your clothes damp. Take it easy. Three smoke puffs, three blasts on a whistle, three shouts, three flashes of light or three of anything is a universal sign to attract attention and bring help. You should also know the Ground to Air Signals. These can be made in the snow with tracks, boughs or any other thing that can be seen from the air. SOS is a standard signal for help. AVALANCHES Snow avalanches that trap someone may be caused by the victim, someone above the victim or natural causes. Since even experts cannot always predict when a given slide will run it is best to learn to recognize avalanche shoots and avoid them. Generally, snow slides occur on moderate slopes of 30 to 40 degrees and the trees in the shoot, if any, are shorter the those on either side. Remember this is "generally." A cornice may develop at the top of a shoot. This is a snow over hang that is created when wind blows snow over a ridge from behind the shoot. Traveling over or under a shoot is dangerous as it can break off and cause the avalanche to run. If you are caught in a avalanche DISCARD ALL EQUIPMENT. TRY TO "SWIM" TO THE TOP AND SIDE of the avalanche. Before you come to a stop, PUT YOUR HANDS IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE AND TRY TO MAKE AN AIR SPACE in front of your face as you stop. Try to remain calm. If you see someone become trapped in a snow slide MARK WHERE YOU LAST SAW THE VICTIM. LOOK DIRECTLY DOWN HILL FROM THERE using ski poles, skis, sticks or other long slender objects as probes. DO NOT GO FOR HELP UNLESS IT IS VERY CLOSE. A person buried over half an hour has less than a 50% chance of surviving. First aid for an avalanche victim is to treat for suffocation and shock. Also treat any apparent injuries. Those who travel in the back country should consider obtaining and learning to use specialized equipment, such as avalanche beacons and collapsible ski poles that can be extended and used as probes.