Cold Weather - Related Health and Safety Tips
(Hypothermia)
Hypothermia is a condition of abnormally low body temperature. Exposed to cold
temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster that it can be produced. Prolonged
exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is
hypothermia. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, causing unclear thinking
and inhibiting body movement. This could cause a person to not know what is happening and
he or she won't be able to respond normally. In Wisconsin, many of us participate in
outdoor activities throughout the fall, winter and early spring. We should all be aware of
the potential symptoms of and treatment for hypothermia.
Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but can occur at temperatures
above 40o F if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold
water.
Victims of hypothermia are most often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing
or heating: (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; and (3) people who remain outdoors for
long periods - the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
Recognize the Warning Signs of Hypothermia
You should recognize the warning signs associated with hypothermia:
- Adults and Children: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands,
memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
- Infants: bright red or cold skin, very low energy.
What To Do
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, take the person's temperature - if
below 95oF, 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 give 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
be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance
immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (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.
Taking Preventive Action
Have furnaces checked annually for efficient and safe operation before the heating
season arrives. Check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors. Monitor the rooms where
infants sleep or spend periods of time. When spending time outdoors, adults and children
should dress warmly and stay dry. Layer clothing, preferably wind resistant, to reduce
loss of body-heat caused by the wind. Tell relatives and friends where you are going and
when you expect to return. Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the
body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.
For more information on hypothermia and frostbite, visit the Extreme Cold
(exit DHS) web site
maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For a chart that shows Wind Chill Temperature Equivalents, visit the Wind Chill Equivalent Temperature
Table provided by the National Weather Service.
(exit DHS)
For more information, contact your Local Public Health Department.
Last Revised: January 13, 2009 |
