First aid for hypothermia: what can and cannot be done

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A hot bath in this state can be fatal.

What is hypothermia

Hypothermia Hypothermia: First aid (hypothermia) is a condition where a person loses more heat than they can generate, and their body temperature has already dropped below 35 ° C.

Most often, hypothermia occurs when a lightly dressed person falls into the cold or falls into cold water. But sometimes it's enough to just be in the wind in wet clothes or spend some time in a poorly heated room with temperatures below 10 ° C.

When you need to urgently call an ambulance

Dial 103 or 112 immediately if you are sure your body temperature has dropped below 35 ° C.

If there is no such certainty, however, environmental conditions and the condition of the person say Hypothermia. Diagnosis and Treatment about probable hypothermia, a doctor's call is also necessary.

What are the symptoms of hypothermia

Here are the signs of Hypothermia to recognize a dangerous drop in body temperature.

• Strong trembling. This is the first healthy reaction to cold. As the temperature drops further, the tremors may stop, and this is a dangerous signal.
• Speech changes. The tongue and lips become clumsy, speech - slurred, muttering.
• Slowing down of breathing and pulse.
• Clumsiness. The fingers bend poorly, the reaction rate drops, coordination of movements is impaired.
• Increasing weakness. Up to drowsiness. I just want to fall (sit down, lie down) and rest.
• Confusion of consciousness. It can manifest itself, for example, like this: a person does not hear or answers questions inappropriately. Or suddenly begins to talk about an event that is completely unrelated to what is happening around.
• Loss of consciousness.

Please note: the freezing person himself may not understand that he is in danger. There are two reasons for this.

First, the symptoms of hypothermia increase gradually. There is no clear line when one can confidently say: before that the cold was tolerable and safe, but now the situation is becoming threatening. Secondly, hypothermia disrupts the brain. As a result, a person is simply not able to critically assess his condition. And often makes a disastrous decision to stay in the cold, endure.

Why hypothermia is dangerous

The normal human body temperature fluctuates Body Temperature: What Is (and Isn’t) Normal? in the range from 36, 1 ° C to 37, 2 ° C. Is it in this temperature range that Time to redefine normal body temperature? millions of chemical processes that ensure the healthy functioning of organs, tissues and the body as a whole. When the temperature rises or falls, all this chemistry goes wrong.

Hypothermia occurs faster if a person is exhausted or dehydrated.

With hypothermia, the first thing Hypothermia disrupts the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, lungs. If you do not provide help in time, a decrease in temperature can lead to complete cardiac failure, respiratory arrest and death.

What should be the first aid for hypothermia

It doesn't matter if you are waiting for an ambulance or decide that you can do without it: the rules of first aid are the same. Hypothermia: First aid.

1. Move the victim (or move yourself if you think you are overcooled) to a warm place. For example, indoors or in a heated car. Just take your time, move slowly and carefully.
2. If it is not possible to get warm, provide protection from the cold. Desirable from all sides. Use branches or clothing to insulate your body from the ground. Cover it with something warm and windproof. It is especially important to insulate the neck and head, leaving only the face open.
3. If clothes get wet, carefully remove them. Replace dry or just use warm blankets.
4. Begin to restore your body temperature to normal. This can be done using warm compresses (heating pads, electric blankets, a bottle of warm water wrapped in a thin cloth). Start by applying compresses to your neck, chest, or groin, but not your limbs.
5. Give the victim (or drink) something warm and sweet. Tea or compote from a thermos is perfect, but in no case mulled wine or other alcoholic beverages.
6. Watch your breathing. With hypothermia, it can stop at any time. In this case, it is necessary that others are ready to do artificial respiration and chest compressions.

What not to do with hypothermia

1. Move quickly. This can lead to poor circulation and cardiac arrest.
2. Massage and rub the body. For the same reasons.
3. Apply a warm compress to your hands or feet. Because of this, the blood flow will become more active, and cold blood will rush to the heart and other internal organs, further lowering their temperature.
4. Raise body temperature too quickly. No hot baths! A sharp warm-up will put unnecessary stress on the cardiovascular system, and it is not a fact that the heart will cope with it.
5. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. These foods make it harder to keep warm.

How to prevent hypothermia

Let's recall the safety rules.

• Follow the weather forecast and try not to walk for a long time if it is frosty outside or even the temperature is below 10 ° C, which is accompanied by high humidity and wind.
• Dress for the weather. Ideally, use the principle of layering. On cold days, wear three layers of clothing. First - thin thermal underwear, which removes excess moisture and retains heat. Then a thick but breathable middle layer, such as a fleece jacket. Outerwear - insulated jacket or down jacket.
• Don't drink alcohol to keep warm. Mild drunkenness is a surefire way to overlook the dangerous symptoms of hypothermia. In addition, alcohol dilates blood vessels, which means that the body loses heat faster.
• Be especially careful if you are at risk. Elderly people, people with insufficient body weight, as well as those who have certain diseases (hypothyroidism, diabetes, severe arthritis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and injuries, a past stroke) are most easily hypothermic. People taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, pain relievers, and sedatives, are also at risk.
• Protect children from the cold. Put them in a warm room as soon as they start to shake - this is the first sign of hypothermia. Dress infants and young children one layer warmer than you would in the same weather. Do not leave your child to sleep on a balcony or in a room with temperatures below 10 ° C.
• Learn to recognize and respond in time to symptoms of hypothermia. This will help keep you and the people around you healthy.