Winter has finally gotten serious in my part of Michigan. The first “pretty” snow is on the ground. You know the kind- it’s fluffy and soft and looks slightly shimmery, and it’s not too cold to go out and enjoy it. It won’t last; the bitter cold always follows the not-so-cold.
A little cold or a lot cold, it’s all relative to me. I seem to be consistently cold. Some days there just doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to warm up.
Let’s suppose for a minute that I got brave and decided to go out with the kids to actually play in the pretty snow. What do I need to know about hypothermia?
Most of the time our body is pretty good at maintaining a consistent body temperature. But, if we stay out in the cold for too long, or if that environment is also damp, we’re putting a lot of pressure on our internal thermostats. When we’re losing more heat than our bodies can make, hypothermia is the result.
When a person is experiencing hypothermia, it means that their body temperature has dropped below 94 degrees. They shiver, and become increasingly confused. Their skin is cold and pale and their breathing is slower than it should be. They will begin to have slurred speech, and become very tired. Usually these symptoms creep up on the person, and those around them. They can be so gradual that the person becomes unaware that there is a problem. If left alone, hypothermia can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Taking a few precautions can help reduce the risks of enjoying winter weather.
Try to stay dry when you go out to play.
Protect yourself from the wind.
Cover your head, neck, face and feet well. You lose a lot of heat from these areas.
Don’t drink alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t warm you up, you actually lose heat faster.
If part of your body begins to loose feeling, you’re too cold. Warm up before continuing your activities.
Have a time limit; arrange your time outside so that you can take inside breaks to warm up.
If someone starts to shiver violently, stumble, or act confused, always suspect hypothermia and get that person out of the cold. Work to warm them up and dry them off. Gently and slowly introducing them to warm bath (not hot), or sharing your own body heat can help warm them up. If the person is still awake and oriented to what is going on, eating or drinking warm foods (nonalcoholic) will also help. If the person isn’t responding, or you find yourself unsure, it’s always best to call for emergency medical assistance.
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