Hypothermia
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is the lowering of the body's "core" temperature to below 35°C (95°F) and can be fatal. There is always the chance of hypothermia developing from prolonged exposure to cold weather. The most common cause of Hypothermia is immersion in cold water.
What to do in the water...
If you end up in the water, it is important to do everything you can to conserve energy and body heat. Lifejackets (PFDs) can increase survival time because of the insulation they provide.
Contrary to popular belief, if you fall in cold water, unnecessary swimming or other activities actually increases the rate of body heat loss. It is best to hold as still as possible, with your upper arms against the side of your chest and your legs together.
If there is more than one person in the water, "huddling" while waiting to be rescued tends to reduce loss of body heat.
Always wear your lifejacket as it can't help you if you don't have it on. It will keep you afloat, keep your head out of the water and allow you to cross your arms. Without your lifejacket, you would need to tread water to keep your head above water and that will increase the rate of loss of body heat.
What to do after rescue...
- Arms and legs SHOULD NOT be massaged.
- DO NOT give artificial resuscitation if person is only unconscious but still breathing, as it could cause fibrillation of the heart. If a person is not breathing and there is no heartbeat, CPR should begin immediately.
- DO NOT give the victim any alcohol or drugs.
- Minimize further heat loss by wrapping victim's body, disturbing him or her as little as possible.
Use the following methods to deliver heat to the victim:
- Warm bath - warm the trunk of the body first in water temperature of 21°C (70°F), raising it slowly over 10 minutes to 43°C (110°F).
- Warm showers.
- Warm towels applied to armpits, groin, shoulder blades, pectoral muscles and buttocks- all areas of high heat transfer.
- Direct body contact with the victim, using a sleeping bag if one is available. Use electric blankets, heating pads etc. to transfer heat to the victim.
In all cases it is wise to get help as soon as possible and have the victim transported to a hospital.
The preceeding information was compiled from information obtained from educational sources, such as Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons. For more information contact
©2015