Cold Weather Injuries
Below is some information I compiled from multiple online resources
for information purposes only. This is not the end all guide and I
encourage everyone that plans to go outside during the winter to
review the following information as well research cold weather
precautions and treatments on there own by going online, reading books
and using other resources.
EditHypothermia
Hypothermia is the lowering of the body temperature at a rate faster
than the body can produce heat. Causes of hypothermia may be general
exposure or the sudden wetting of the body by falling into the water.
The initial symptom is shivering. This shivering may progress to the
point that it is uncontrollable and interferes with an individual's
ability to care for himself, sluggish thinking, irrational reasoning,
and a false feeling of warmth. This then progresses to rigidity,
unconsciousness, and barely detectable signs of life. If the victims'
core falls below 77 degrees F, death is almost certain.
The first priority is to perform a careful check for breathing and a pulse and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as necessary.
- If the person is unconscious, having severe breathing difficulty, or is pulseless, call 911 for an ambulance.
- Because the victim's heartbeat may be very weak and slow, the pulse check should ideally be continued for at least 1 minute before beginning CPR. Rough handling of these victims may cause deadly heart rhythms.
The second priority is rewarming.
- Remove all wet clothes and move the person inside.
- The victim should be given warm fluids if he or she is able to drink, but do not give the person caffeine or alcohol.
- Cover the person's body with blankets and aluminum-coated foils, and place the victim in a sleeping bag. Avoid actively heating the victim with outside sources of heat such as radiators or hot water baths. This may only decrease the amount of shivering and slow the rate of core temperature increase.
- Strenuous muscle exertion should be avoided.
EditFrostbite
This injury to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. Your feet,
hands, and exposed facial areas are particularly vulnerable to frostbite.
Generally, frostbite is accompanied with discoloration of the skin,
along with burning and/or tingling sensations, partial or complete
numbness, and possibly intense pain. If the nerves and blood vessels
have been severely damaged, gangrene may follow, and amputation may
eventually be required. If left untreated, frostbitten skin gradually
darkens after a few hours.
Light frostbite involves only the skin that takes on a dull whitish
pallor. Deep frostbite extends to a depth below the skin. The tissues
become solid and immovable. Skin destroyed by frostbite is completely
black and looks loose and flayed, as if burnt.
A loss of feeling in your hands and feet is a sign of frostbite. If
you have lost feeling for only a short time, the frostbite is probably
light. Otherwise, assume the frostbite is deep.
To rewarm a light frostbite, use your hands or mittens to warm your
face and ears. Place your hands under your armpits. Place your feet
next to your buddy's stomach.
A deep frostbite injury, if thawed and refrozen, will cause more
damage than a non-medically trained person can handle.
The best frostbite prevention, when you are with others, is to use the
buddy system. Check your buddy's face often and make sure that he
checks yours. If you are alone, periodically cover your nose and lower
part of your face with your mittened hand.
EditDehydration
When bundled up in many layers of clothing during cold weather, you
may be unaware that you are losing body moisture. Your heavy clothing
absorbs the moisture that evaporates in the air. You must drink water
to replace this loss of fluid. Your need for water is as great in a
cold environment as it is in a warm environment.
Symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst, decreased urine volume,
urine that is darker than usual, unexplained tiredness, lack of tears
when crying, headache, dry mouth, and dizziness when standing due to
orthostatic hypo-tension.
In moderate to severe dehydration, there may be no urine output at
all. Other symptoms in these states include lethargy or extreme
sleepiness, seizures, sunken fontanel (soft spot) in infants,
fainting, and sunken eyes.
Dehydration is best avoided by drinking plenty of water. The greater
the amount of water lost through perspiration, the more water must be
consumed to replace it and avoid dehydration. Since the body cannot
tolerate large deficits or excesses in total body water, consumption
of water must be roughly concurrent with the loss (in other words, if
one is perspiring, one should also be drinking water frequently).
Drinking water slightly beyond the needs of the body entails no risk,
since the kidneys will efficiently remove any excess water through the
urine with a large margin of safety.
The best treatment for minor dehydration is water; sport drinks and
other fluids commercially sold for re-hydration should be used with
care, as the balance of electrolytes they provide may not match the
replacement requirements of the individual. For severe cases of
dehydration where fainting, unconsciousness, or any other severely
inhibiting symptom is present (the patient is incapable of standing or
thinking clearly), emergency attention is required. Fluids containing
a proper balance of replacement electrolytes are given orally or
intravenously with continuing assessment of electrolyte status;
complete resolution is the norm in all but the most extreme cases.
EditCold Diuresis
Exposure to cold increases urine output. Be sure to drink plenty of
fluids to prevent dehydration.
EditSources