Did You Know?: Hypothermia

With the arrival of winter many people head outside to enjoy the numerous winter activities that are available. Before you head out though make sure you are properly so you can have fun and not become a statistic. Hypothermia is a life threatening condition that develops when the body temperature drops too low. In Canada you are at risk for Hypothermia year round but especially during winter. The key to preventing Hypothermia is to dress for the weather whenever you go outside (even if you are traveling by vehicle since you could get stranded).

Should Hypothermia occur your first indication will be shivering along with numbness. In this case you should seek shelter as soon as possible. If you start to lose your coordination and get confused you are now in moderate Hypothermia and should seek shelter immediately. Sever Hypothermia is characterised by a lack of shivering and no complaining about the cold and possibly a loss of consciousness. Sever Hypothermia is a medical emergency and should be treated as such (calling 911).

First Aid For Cold Emergencies

Hypothermia, the cooling of the body's core temperature, can happen twelve months of the year in the Ottawa area. The spring time temperature fluctuations and rain can cause a person to go into hypothermia very quickly. A person in mild hypothermia will shiver and complain of the cold, someone in moderate hypothermia will also shiver and complain of numbness, a lack of coordination and may act in a confused manner and impaired judgement. Finally, someone in severe hypothermia will not shiver (a sign their body cannot warm itself up) or complain of being cold along with the confused behaviour mentioned above. Someone in severe hypothermia can also lose consciousness and stop breathing.

The best treatment is prevention. Dress for the weather and in layers.

For someone in mild or moderate hypothermia seek shelter, remove wet clothing and re-warm with a blanket or an external source of heat. For severe hypothermia the person will need external sources of heat to warm up. EMS/911 should also be called for cases of severe hypothermia.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code. Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.-2727.

Hypothermia: Did You Know?

Hypothermia, the cooling of the body’s core temperature, can happen twelve months of the year in the Ottawa area. The spring time temperature fluctuations and rain can cause a person to go into hypothermia very quickly. A person in mild hypothermia will shiver and complain of the cold, someone in moderate hypothermia will also shiver and complain of numbness, a lack of coordination and may act in a confused manner and impaired judgement. Finally, someone in severe hypothermia will not shiver (a sign their body cannot warm itself up) or complain of being cold along with the confused behaviour mentioned above. Someone in severe hypothermia can also lose consciousness and stop breathing.

 

The best treatment is prevention. Dress for the weather and in layers.

 

For someone in mild or moderate hypothermia seek shelter, remove wet clothing and re-warm with a blanket or an external source of heat. For severe hypothermia the person will need external sources of heat to warm up. EMS/911 should also be called for cases of severe hypothermia.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code.  Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.