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Skill 10a: Hypothermia (Theory)

Skill 10a: Hypothermia (Theory). Learnin g Intention: To equip you with the knowledge to avoid, recognise and treat mild hypothermia. Success Criteria: By the end of this session everyone should be able to:

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Skill 10a: Hypothermia (Theory)

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  1. Skill 10a: Hypothermia (Theory)

  2. Learning Intention: To equip you with the knowledge to avoid, recognise and treat mild hypothermia.

  3. Success Criteria: • By the end of this session everyone should be able to: • Describe what steps to take to avoid, recognise and treat mild hypothermia in a wilderness environment. • Some of you may be able to: • Recognise and treat severe hypothermia.

  4. Activities: • Discussion/Powerpoint: • - What is hypothermia? • - What can you do to avoid it? • - How should you treat it? • 2. Scenario

  5. What can make your body cold?

  6. In other words: • Cold • Wind • Wetness Any two of these in combination greatly increase risk of hypothermia

  7. How does your body respond to cold?

  8. Stage 1: The Cold Response • The body’s normal response to a cold challenge: • Blood is shunted from the periphery (e.g. feet, hands, ears, nose, skin) to the core; • Mild shivering; • Fine motor function (e.g. movement of fingers) may be impaired; • Increased urination.

  9. What should you do?

  10. What to do if you are feeling cold • Add more clothing layers (Heat Retention) • Get into shelter (Heat Retention) • Increase fluid/fuel intake (Heat Production) • Increase exercise (Heat Production) • EASILY DEALT WITH IF RECOGNISED EARLY.

  11. Stage 2: MILD HYPOTHERMIA • THE BODY’S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO COLD IS OVERWHELMED • The onset of mild hypothermia is a field emergency, indicating a significant drop in core temperature has already occurred.

  12. The "umbles" • stumbles • mumbles • fumbles • grumbles

  13. What should you do now?

  14. Shelter from wind and moisture Remove wet clothes & replace with dry. Body to body contact may be helpful Insulate from the ground or snow Take in fluids (warm drinks) Take in calories Exercise to increase heat production only once above completed. MILD HYPOTHERMIATreatment

  15. Stage 3: SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA • This is a true medical emergency (but should not happen if dealt with early in Stage 1/2) • The patient has lost all ability to fight the cold. Rescue efforts should be directed to preventing further heat loss and immediate evacuation.

  16. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA • Shivering stops • Unconsciousness • Apparent death • Death

  17. What should you do now?

  18. No food/drink if unconscious Reduce further heat loss Insulate casualty Handle gently Prevent exercise Avoid rewarming SEVERE HYPOTHERMIATreatment “Our policy is to insulate cold and unresponsive casualties with minimum disturbance and deliver them to an appropriate medical facility as quickly as circumstances allow” – John Allen, Cairngorm MRT

  19. SUMMARY • Easily treated on the hill if recognised early • Keep an eye on your group • If left, can become life-threatening

  20. Questions?

  21. Videos: Ray Mears Hypothermia Testing (from c. 9.00 minutes to 15.00)

  22. Thought for the day: • “In all of my time (36 years) with the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team we have never taken anyone rendered unconscious with hypothermia off the hill who has then survived.” • John Allen, Cairngorm John: A Life in Mountain Rescue (2010)

  23. Next Session: Skill 10b: Hypothermia (Practical)

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