Thursday, December 5, 2013

Hypothermia Prevention

We would like to share a Hypothermia Fact Sheet that has been put together by the Public Health Foundation of Columbia County.  We urge everyone to become familiar with the signs of hypothermia - onset can happen very quickly in weather like this.

Hypothermia
Highlights
  • When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
  • Low body temperature may make you unable to think clearly or move well.
  • You may not know you have hypothermia.
  • If your temperature is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.
·         When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced.
·         Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.
·         Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
·         Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
·         Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.
RECOGNIZING HYPOTHERMIA
 (Warning Signs)
ADULTS
INFANTS
     ·         Shivering, exhaustion  
     ·         Confusion, fumbling hands
     ·         Memory loss, slurred speech
     ·         Drowsiness
     ·         Bright red, cold skin
     ·         Very low energy
WHAT TO DO
If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the person as follows:
     ·         Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
     ·         If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
     ·         Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head, and groin – using an electric blanket, if available.  Or, use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
     ·         Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not five alcoholic beverages.  Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
     ·         After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
     ·         Get medical attention as soon as possible.
·         A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.
·         Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided.
·         CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available.
·          In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

Additional information related to winter weather health and safety can be found at: