Brrrrrrrr Baby its cold outside HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE, AND YOU Oh My!

Brrrrrrrr…Baby it’s cold outside

HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE, AND YOU

Oh My!

Why Alaska’s Kids Need To Know Cold Weather Safety

Alaska is a cool state (cold winters & cool summers).

All major towns in Alaska lie along the coast or beside a river...AND…

Water takes heat away from your body 25 times faster than air.

Many cold injury dangers are silent dangers.

Being outside is fun, but you need to be safe.

What is HYPOTHERMIA?

Normo- Normal

Hypo- Beneath, under, less than normal

Our normal body temperature is 98.6 F, and a hypothermic state is when our core temperature is below 96 F, a temperature at which normal brain and muscle activity are impaired.

Thermo- Heat

Hyper- Above, over, more than normal

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia

Watch for the UMBLES

UMBLESUMBLES

UMBLES

UMBLES

STF

M

GR

You will not realize this is happening!

How Does Your Body Lose Heat?

4 waysRADIATION

CONDUCTION

CONVECTION

EVAPORATION

-the loss of heat from the body due to surrounding air being colder.

-loss of heat through direct contact with an object. Water conducts heat from the body 25 times faster than air.

- a process of conduction where one of the objects is in motion, like wind.

-heat loss from converting liquid to gas

How Does Your Body Regulate Your Internal Temperature?

Your brain acts as your thermostat!

How Does Your Body Regulate Your Internal Temperature?

If you were faced with a limited amount of fuel supply, and it was really cold outside, wouldn’t you start to shut off the heat in rooms that your family wasn’t using, like the guestroom or basement?

Your body does the same thing.

2 NEW WORDSVASODILATION

And

VASOCONSTRICTION

How Does Your Body Maintain Its Internal

Temperature?SWEATING

SHIVERING

BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE

Cools the body through evaporative cooling.

Generates heat through an increase in muscle activity.

Putting on or taking off layers of clothing allows your body to heat or cool itself.

But, what if these responses don’t work?

Let’s Play the Hypothermia Game!

Situation 1:You are out winter camping. You are well equipped and well dressed for the experience. There is an extreme wind, and the air is bitterly cold. You start to feel sore and shiver.

Could you be in danger of hypothermia?

Yes!!!!



Situation 2:You go hiking on a fall afternoon. It is in the mid-60s.

Yes!!!!


Situation 2:You go hiking on a fall afternoon. It is in the mid-60s.

What if an unexpected rain shower passes over with pouring rain and gusty winds, and you have no rain equipment?



Situation 3:You are hiking on a 70 degree day, and you are walking across a fallen log over an icy mountain river.

Yes!!!!


Situation 3:You are hiking on a 70 degree day, and you are walking across a fallen log over an icy mountain river.

What if you slip and fall, and get completely soaked in the late afternoon, as the sun is going down and a chill picks up in the air?


Although the first case seems the most realistic, as you can see, a potentially dangerous hypothermic situation can occur on a 70 degree day.

So how can the conditions of an otherwise warm day turn dangerous?

Just Do The Math!INADEQUATE CLOTHING

+COLD

+WATER

+_____WIND_____

HYPOTHERMIA

What is the Difference Between Hypothermia and Frostbite?

Hypothermia is when the body core temperature cools below 96 degrees F.

Frostbite occurs when cells or the area between cells form ice crystals and freeze.

Both are not fun.

What is the Difference Between Hypothermia and Frostbite?

Extremities are most likely to be frostbitten, since they are the first “rooms” to have their heat shut off.

Signs and Symptoms of Frostbite

MILD FROSTNIP- Skin is white in color, feels normal, and may still have some sensation.

SUPERFICIAL FROSTBITE- skin is white in color, feels soft, and is numb.

DEEP FROSTBITE- skin is white in color, feels hard, and is numb.

What is the Best Way to Avoid Cold Weather Injury?

PREVENTION!

PREVENTION: How to Dress for Cold Weather

A safety fashion guide

The most important word when dressing for cold weather is ____________.LAYERS



Layering is the key to staying warm and dry.

When you layer, you insulate your body by trapping warm air between your layers.

Layering gives you control to heat up or cool down your body by putting on or taking off layers.

You should always have at least 3 layers on when you go out in cold weather.



MATERIAL CHOICE is important because some materials keep you warmer when wet.

WOOL

FLEECE

COTTON

Dries quickly, insulates when wet, and is not flammable.

Will insulate when wet, but will melt as plastic.

Cold and sticks to skin when wet, and it burns easily.


SO WHAT ARE THESE LAYERS?

LAYER 1- Innermost layer- long underwear and a long sleeved shirt.

LAYER 2- Middle layer- this layer will serve as the insulating layer. You want something that is going to keep you warm like wool or fleece pants and shirts or sweaters.

LAYER 3- Outside layer-finish with a windproof and waterproof shell. You want to protect your insulating layer from wind and water.

Dressing for cold weather1. Long underwear

2. Wool or fleece sweaters and pants

3. Windproof or waterproof coat



Now that we’ve got our layers on, what are we forgetting about?

HEAD

HANDS

FEET



HEAD

50% of your body heat is lost through your head.



HANDS

If your hands are unprotected, they may be subject to frostbite.



FEETDon’t wear tennis shoes! They get wet easily and don’t provide insulation. Wear boots that can be waterproofed or are water resistant.

Also, you should wear warm socks that aren’t cotton. You can layer socks too.

HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE, AND YOU

Oh My!The keys to being safe in cold weather are: PREPARATION and PREVENTION.

Be prepared for cold weather and stay dry and you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors happily and safely.

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE COLD

This project was partially funded by NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds administered by

the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund.

Brrrrrrrr Baby its cold outside HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE, AND YOU Oh My!

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