Cold Safety, Extreme
Cold Safety, Extreme : The people most often effected by cold are elderly and babies. However, if proper precautions are not taken, anyone can find him/herself suffering from hypothermia or frostbite. Wind chill combines the rate of heat loss (from exposed skin) caused by wind and cold temperatures. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rate driving down the body temperature. A 20 degree F temperature combined with a 20 mph wind produces a wind chill of -10 degrees F. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops. Warning signs are uncontrollable shivering; loss of memory; disorientation; incoherence; vague, slow, slurred speech; frequent stumbling; drowsiness; apparent exhaustion or inability to get up from rest. If a person's body temperature drops below 95 F degrees, seek medical help immediately. If unable to get medical help, wrap the person in a warm blanket covering the head and neck. Do not give the person alcohol, drugs, hot liquid or hot food (warm is better). The person needs to be warmed slowly. Do not warm extremities (arms, legs, hands, etc.) first! This drives the cold blood toward the heart and can lead to heart failure. Warm the body core first. If needed, use your own body heat to help. Frostbite is when the body tissue freezes, damaging the tissue. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. If you must wait for help, slowly rewarm affected areas. To prevent hypothermia and frost bite, stay inside during extreme cold spells or heavy snow storms. If you must go out, dress appropriately. Wear loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped cold air insulates. Avoid overexertion. The strain from the cold and hard labor (such as shoveling wet snow, walking through drifts, etc) may lead to a heart attack. Sweating can lead to a chill and hypothermia. By wearing layers of clothes, if perspiration occurs, layers can be removed and then added back when needed. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat. Half of your body heat loss can be from your head. Cover your mouth (using a scarf, etc.) to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves for protecting the hands. Try to stay dry
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