New hypothermia

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA

Mother Natures Silent Killer!Mother Natures Silent Killer!


Hypothermia is a medical condition that Hypothermia is a medical condition that results from the body’s inability to results from the body’s inability to adequately replace heat lost to the adequately replace heat lost to the surrounding environment. Heat is lost at a surrounding environment. Heat is lost at a faster rate then the body can generate faster rate then the body can generate heat that is lost.heat that is lost.

It is a progressive condition that can be It is a progressive condition that can be reversed with appropriate care in the field.reversed with appropriate care in the field.


YOUYOU have had it before! have had it before!Have you ever felt cold?Have you ever felt cold?Did you begin to shiver?Did you begin to shiver?

Did you shiver so hard that you Did you shiver so hard that you couldn’t stop shaking?couldn’t stop shaking?

YES?YES? TheseThese were the early stages of hypothermia!were the early stages of hypothermia!


Types of Heat TransferTypes of Heat TransferConvection.Convection.Radiation.Radiation.Evaporation.Evaporation.ConductionConduction..


Normal Body WarmingNormal Body Warming When the core temperature starts to drop, blood When the core temperature starts to drop, blood

vessels in the extremities constrict and blood is vessels in the extremities constrict and blood is returned to the core to maintain core returned to the core to maintain core temperature.temperature.

The brain is very demanding and steals heat from The brain is very demanding and steals heat from the rest of the body.the rest of the body.

Every 20 minutes the blood vessels in the Every 20 minutes the blood vessels in the extremities will dilate for warm blood from the extremities will dilate for warm blood from the core to flow and warm the extremities. This core to flow and warm the extremities. This brings cold blood back to the core to be warmed brings cold blood back to the core to be warmed and lowers the core temperature even more. and lowers the core temperature even more.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIA In some respects hypothermia is similar to heat In some respects hypothermia is similar to heat

stress, but recovery and first aid are more stress, but recovery and first aid are more complex.complex.

With With heat stressheat stress, the body is trying to get rid of , the body is trying to get rid of heat.heat.

With With hypothermiahypothermia, the body can’t generate heat , the body can’t generate heat fast enough, so it conserves heat as best it can.fast enough, so it conserves heat as best it can.

Prevention of hypothermia is 100% preventable, Prevention of hypothermia is 100% preventable, the same as heat stress.the same as heat stress.

Hydration, diet and proper clothing are the key Hydration, diet and proper clothing are the key essentials to prevention and survival.essentials to prevention and survival.


Primary CausesPrimary CausesFailure to stay properly hydrated can Failure to stay properly hydrated can

accelerate the onset of hypothermia.accelerate the onset of hypothermia.Failure to eat enough calories.Failure to eat enough calories.Failure to have proper clothing for Failure to have proper clothing for

conditions.conditions. Immobility.Immobility.Medical conditions.Medical conditions.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIAMedical Risk FactorsMedical Risk Factors

Age – infants and people over 65Age – infants and people over 65Alcohol use accelerates heat loseAlcohol use accelerates heat lose Illegal drugsIllegal drugsCertain prescription drugsCertain prescription drugsDiabeticsDiabeticsPeople fighting infectionsPeople fighting infectionsCoronary problemsCoronary problems


Environmental Risk FactorsEnvironmental Risk FactorsTemperatures below 50 degreesTemperatures below 50 degreesWind from 4 to 30 mphWind from 4 to 30 mphRainRainWet clothing from sweat, rain, snow, Wet clothing from sweat, rain, snow,

etc.etc.


SymptomsSymptomsCore temperature (rectal) below 98.6 the

onset of hypothermia begins.98.6 – 95º Intense shivering, perform

complex tasks impaired, fatigue, poor coordination, immobile and fumbling hands. Get medical attention ASAP.


Symptoms (cont)Symptoms (cont) 95.0 – 91.4º Violent shivering, difficulty

speaking, slow thinking, amnesia starts to appear, starts to loose contact with environment, stumbling gate, feeling of deep cold and numbness. Get medical attention ASAP.

91.4 – 87.8º Shivering decreases, muscle rigidity, erratic movement, thinking is not clear, trouble standing, hallucinations, loses contact with surroundings. CALL 911!!!CALL 911!!!


Symptoms (cont)Symptoms (cont)87.8 – 85.2º Shivering stops, rigid 87.8 – 85.2º Shivering stops, rigid

muscles, becomes irrational, starts into muscles, becomes irrational, starts into stupor, slow pulse and respiration, pupils stupor, slow pulse and respiration, pupils started to dilate, skin starts to turn to blue, started to dilate, skin starts to turn to blue, drowsiness. drowsiness. CALL 911!!!CALL 911!!!


Symptoms (cont)Symptoms (cont)85.2 – 78.8º Does not respond to spoken 85.2 – 78.8º Does not respond to spoken

word, erratic pulse, reflexes do not word, erratic pulse, reflexes do not function, person is only semi-conscious, function, person is only semi-conscious, heart starts atrial fibrillation. heart starts atrial fibrillation. THIS IS A 911MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!!


Symptoms (cont)Symptoms (cont)Below 78.8º Heart and respiratory failure,

ventricular fibrillation, probable brain and lung hemorrhage. Even though the person may appear to be dead, they may still be able to be saved with immediate medical intervention. THIS IS A 911MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!!


First AidFirst Aid If it’s cold enough for the victim to suffer

hypothermia, it is cold enough for the rescuer to suffer also.

STOP THE EXPOSURE move to warmer environment particularly out of the wind.

Remove wet cloths and replace with warm dry cloths, blankets, etc.. Don’t forget to cover the head to retain heat. Apply warm compresses to groin, armpits and back of neck.


First Aid (cont)First Aid (cont) If the victim exhibits confusion, coma,

fumbling hands and/or slurred speech call 911.

If the victim can follow directions, sit up and is conscious, give warm non-alcoholic beverage.

Do Not give liquids to unresponsive victim.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIAFirst Aid (cont)First Aid (cont)

Do Not give victim any alcohol.Do Not warm arms, legs, hands or feet.Do Not rub or message arms, legs, etc.Victims of hypothermia have to be handled

carefully. Failure to do so may result in cardiac failure.

Proper warming and recovery of a hypothermia victim should be done by professional medical personnel.


PREVENTIONPREVENTION Eat a healthy meal which will provide enough Eat a healthy meal which will provide enough

calories to generate heat in the environment.calories to generate heat in the environment. Eat snacks periodically to maintain calorie level.Eat snacks periodically to maintain calorie level. Have warm non-caffeinated beverages.Have warm non-caffeinated beverages. Do not sit on cold items.Do not sit on cold items. Keep moving as much as possible.Keep moving as much as possible. Wear appropriate clothing for insulation.Wear appropriate clothing for insulation. Keep clothing dry.Keep clothing dry.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIAPREVENTION (cont.)PREVENTION (cont.)

Dress to survive not for looks.Dress to survive not for looks.

What Not To WearWhat Not To WearDon’t wear tennis shoes.Don’t wear tennis shoes.Don’t wear cotton or nylon socks.Don’t wear cotton or nylon socks.Don’t wear blue jeans or denim jackets.Don’t wear blue jeans or denim jackets.Don’t wear cotton sweat shirts.Don’t wear cotton sweat shirts.Don’t wear short sleeve shirts or shorts.Don’t wear short sleeve shirts or shorts.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIAPREVENTION (cont.)PREVENTION (cont.)

What To WearWhat To Wear Leather water repellent shoes or hiking shoes. Wool or wool blend hiking socks. Wool blend trousers. Long sleeve shirts. Wool or wool blend sweater. Coat or jacket that will insulate, repel water, wick away

sweat. Neck scarf. Gloves or mittens. Head covering, preferably a wool blend watch cap.


Every year in the U.S. between 600 and Every year in the U.S. between 600 and 700 people die of 700 people die of hypothermiahypothermia..

Every year in Arizona an average of 23 Every year in Arizona an average of 23 people die of people die of hypothermia.hypothermia.

HYPOTHERMIAHYPOTHERMIARememberRemember

If left untreated, hypothermia can If left untreated, hypothermia can kill.kill.

Nobody ever froze to death — Nobody ever froze to death — instead, they died of hypothermia.instead, they died of hypothermia.

The freezing part came later...The freezing part came later...

...and only if the temperature of the ...and only if the temperature of the surrounding environment was below surrounding environment was below freezing.freezing.


QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

New hypothermia

Health & Medicine

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