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Hypothermia |
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Winter cold fills the air. Water temperatures plummet. Clouds
block the warming sun and the winds chill you to the bones. But the
surf is really good! This is the time to protect yourself
because cold kills.
Knowing what the condition is, recognizing it, treating it and preventing it in the first place are important! What is Hypothermia? |
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According to Alaska Information Cache, "The rate of body heat loss depends on water temperature, the protective clothing worn, percent body fat and other physical factors, and most importantly the way you conduct yourself in the water." Cold kills in two steps: exposure and exhaustion. The colder the
water, the less time you can survive (see Chart A). |
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How do you know if you or
something with you has it?
One of the key signs of early hypothermia is shivering. If you start to shiver, if your teeth start chattering, get out of the water and warm up! If you see someone with those symptoms, tell them to go get warm. Other signs of hypothermia include loss of coordination, mental confusion, cold and blue skin (especially around lips or fingers). Less noticeable, but just as important, are weak pulse, irregular heartbeat and enlarged pupils. Once you see that someone's stopped shivering, know that their core body temperature is dropping critically and they need immediate attention.
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How do you treat it? The first and most obvious thing to do is get the victim to warm shelter. That may be a hut, house or your car. Send someone for help. If help is nearby, make the victim as comfortable as possible, lay them on their back, cover him or her with a blanket or pile on some jackets or a sleeping bag. If medical help will take a long time, apply heating pads or hot water bottles to the head, neck, chest and groin (make sure you cover them with a towel or other cloth so the victim doesn't get burned). Don't put heat on the arms and legs or give the victim a hot bath! That can actually be worse. Don't massage or rub the victim, that's dangerous also. If the person is alert, you can give them hot drinks (NEVER alcohol! |
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How do you prevent it? Consider four ways your body loses heat:
Protect yourself. Wear a wet suit (Chart B has some "rules of thumb" about what thickness to get). Keep your feet and hands warm with surf booties and gloves. Wear a surf hat or hood to prevent heat loss. These items also block the wind, another source of chill. Keep moving while you're in the water to burn calories that generate heat. If you notice any of the symptoms of hypothermia, go to the beach and get warm. Don't be afraid to ask for help. References:
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