Survival Guide
Warmth - Shelter - Water and Food
HYPOTHERMIA
While generally considered a first aid subject, hypothermia can
be one of the most dangerous threats to survival. As such, it needs
to be addressed specifically.
Simply defined, hypothermia is the condition occurring when the
inner temperature of the body falls to a level at which vital organs
slow and ultimately cease to function. Because this can occur in
relatively mild conditions, it is a danger at any time of the year.
Most hypothermia occurs at temperatures between 30 and 50 F (-1
to -10 C) when conditions are wet and windy.
It is most important that hypothermia be recognized as early as
possible. Fortunately, symptoms are easily recognized and preventive
measures will avoid a tragedy.
Symptoms:
Hypothermia is a progressive illness with symptoms following a
defined sequence as the core temperature drops:
- You feel cold and have to exercise to keep warm.
- You start to shiver and feel numb.
- Shivering becomes intense and uncontrollable.
- Shivering becomes violent. Speaking is difficult. Thinking
becomes sluggish and your mind starts to wander.
- Shivering decreases and muscles start to stiffen. Muscle co-ordination
becomes difficult and movements become erratic and jerky. Appreciation
of the seriousness of the situation is vague or lacking. However,
you may still maintain the appearance of knowing where you are
and what is going on.
- You become irrational - lose control with your environment
and drift into a stupor. Pulse and respiration are slowed.
- No response to the spoken word. You fall into unconsciousness.
Most reflexes cease to function and heartbeat becomes erratic.
- Heart and lung control centers of the brain stop functioning.
Treatment:
- As soon as symptoms are recognized, remove the victim from
the source - get him out of the cold, wind and rain.
- Remove wet clothes; replace with warm dry clothes, if possible,
and place in a sleeping bag or wrap in warm blankets, etc.
- If conscious, consider warm drinks. No alcohol!
- If semi-conscious or worse, try to keep the victim awake
- If required, use heated rocks (well wrapped) or blankets. Warm
the core-body trunk area. Do not stimulate the extremities.
- Do not allow movement until the entire body has returned to
normal or near normal temperature.
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Survival
Guide - Warmth
- Shelter
- Water and
Food
Stay Warm item below:
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Emergency Blanket
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Emergency Bivvy Sack
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