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HYPOTHERMIA
This condition developes when the body temperature falls below 35 deg C (95 deg F).
The effects vary with the speed and onset and the level to which the temperature falls.
Moderate hypothermia can usually be reversed. However, deep hypothermia (core temperature below
26 deg C/79 deg F) is often, though not always fatal, it is always worth persisiting with resuscitation until medical aid
arrives and evacuation.
If a person is on there own and starts to suffer from hypothermia, from the initial onset to death
can be less than two hours.
Most hill walkers have experienced the early warning symptoms and have never realised it.
Preventing Hypothermia
Plan outdoor expeditions, walks carefully, check weather forecasts, dress and pack for the weather
expected.
Eat enough energy producing foods before and during a walk, make sure you take regular stops to
eat and drink.
Wear proper waterproof and windproof clothing, ensure protection from elements from head to your
feet, use the layered clothing system.
Only attempt what you know you can physically achieve. Always be willing to stop and turn back.
Remember that particular route or mountain will be there long after you are gone.
However, it could happen, if you get lost, out overnight or suffered an injury or taken ill.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
The casualty is usually the last person to realise that they are suffering from the cold.
It is essential that must be aware of the symptoms and what to look for.
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- Feeling cold and unhappy.
- Complaining and moaning.
- Slowing down or lagging behind.
- Difficulty crossing rough ground.
- Slowing mentally and physically.
- Slurring of speech.
- Poor coordination.
- Spells of shivering when resting.
- Cramp in legs.
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- Feeling bitterly cold.
- Stumbling, shambling movement.
- Judgement affected, becoming confused.
- Drowsy.
- Difficulty getting back up after a rest.
- Shivering when on the move, becoming uncontrollable.
- Disregard for the cold (loosening or taking clothing off).
- Vision impaired.
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- Shivering stops (real danger sign).
- Slow jerky movements.
- Falling down.
- Collapse.
- Lapsing in and out of consciousness.
- Hallucinating.
- Slow breathing and pulse.
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WHAT TO DO
While waiting medical and evacuation.
Your aims are:
- To prevent the casualty from losing more body heat.
- To rewarm the casualty.
- To get medical aid.
What you must do
- Stop and shelter from the wind and rain, if you have emergency shelter or tent get the casualty inside
or inside a bivvy or survival bag.
- If clothing wet, replace with dry spare clothing, also insulate the casualty with extra clothing
especially on the head and hands.
- Protect the casualty from the ground, if you have one place the casualty in a dry sleeping bag on
a insulated mat.
- Effective rewarming comes only from the inside. Give them warm sweet drink and energy based foods
to help build up the body's heat.
- Warm the air the casualty is breathing by winding a scarf or loose clothing round the mouth and nose.
If the casualty becomes unconcious
- Place in the recovery position.
- Keep close check on breathing and pulse.
- If breathing stops, place casualty on back, head well back and carry out resuscitate.
- If heart stops begin CPR
HEAT EXHAUSTION
This condition usually developes gradually and
is caused by loss of salt and water from the body by excessive sweating, prolonged over activity and dehydration due to not
drinking enough water.
Recognition
As the condition developes, there may be:
- Headache,dizziness and confusion.
- Loss of appetite and nausea.
- Sweating, pale and clammy skin.
- Cramps in the arms and legs, or the abdominal wall.
- Rapid, weakening pulse and breathing.
Your aims are:
- To replace lost fluid and salt.
- To cool down the casualty.
Do the following:
- Get the casualty into some shade.
- Lay the casualty down and raise their legs.
- Give the casualty plenty of water, follow if possible with a weak salt solution(one teaspoon of salt
to 1 litre of water).
- If the casualtys responses deteriorate, place in the recovery position,(call for medical aid and
evacuation).
- Monitor, breathing and pulse, and be ready to resuscitate.
ARGYLL OUTDOOR NAVIGATION
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