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Cold Related Emergencies

Cold Related Emergencies. Frostbite (temp. 32 degrees) Hypothermia (can occur at above freezing temps). Cold Factors #2. Dehydration Nutrition Illness Injury Wind Wet clothing (transfers heat from the body). Proper Clothing. 3 layers of clothing

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Cold Related Emergencies

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  1. Cold Related Emergencies • Frostbite • (temp. 32 degrees) • Hypothermia • (can occur at above freezing temps)

  2. Cold Factors #2 • Dehydration • Nutrition • Illness • Injury • Wind • Wet clothing (transfers heat from the body)

  3. Proper Clothing • 3 layers of clothing • Purpose is to insulate by trapping layers of air • A single heavy layer is not recommended

  4. Additional Considerations • Cap • 50-60% of body’s heat is lost through the head • Neck • Site of significant heat loss • Gloves / Boots

  5. Frostbite (frozen tissue) • Freezes deep into the skin • Mainly affects feet, hands, ears, nose

  6. Frostbite: Signs and Symptoms (pre-thaw) • White, waxy or grayish-yellow skin • Pain followed by no feeling • Affected part is very cold or numb • Hard or crusty skin • Post-thaw resembles burn stages

  7. First Aid: Re-warming • 1. Medical center • 2. Rapid (wet) re-warming: • Preferred re-warming method outside of hospital setting in water temperatures around 103 to 105. • 3. Slow re-warming: • involves warming body to body, arm pit, etc. • Use caution if re-warming with a heating-pad, stove or over a fire

  8. Rapid Re-Warming • NEVER RUB FROZEN TISSUE • Place body parts in water 102 to 105 (20 to 40 minutes) • Do not re-warm if there is a chance of re-freezing • Put dry gauze or fluffy cloth between frozen digits

  9. Hypothermia • Core body temperature • 95 degrees (mild) • 90 degrees (profound) • Medical emergency • Victim may present with no heartbeat, breathing, or response to touch or pain, but may not be dead • Except in mild cases, all victims should be evaluated by a physician

  10. Mild Hypothermia • Shivering • Slurred speech • Memory lapses • Fumbling hands • May stumble or stagger • Usually conscious and can talk • Cold abdomen and back

  11. Profound Hypothermia • Body temperature below 90 degrees (AR hunter) • Shivering has ceased • Muscles stiff and rigid • Skin appears blue • No response to pain • Pulse and respirations slowed • Pupils dilate / Victim “appears dead” / 50-80% will die • Child in Canada, winter 2001, core body temp. 60

  12. Hypothermia: What To Do • Move victim to warm environment • Replace wet clothing • Lie down and cover / cap • Call EMS if necessary • Check ABC’s • Take pulse for 30-45 seconds • Always try to re-warm in a hospital

  13. Hypothermia • Warm drinks • Do not consume un-melted snow and ice if in a cold environment • Do not place in tub of warm water

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