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| EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT |
| AND |
| FIRST-AID |
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| FIRST-AID |
| HYPOTHERMIA Under most conditions your body maintains a healthy temperature. However, when we are in the mountains, we are exposed to cold temperatures, or a cool, damp environment for prolonged periods, your body's control mechanism may fail to keep your body temperature normal. When more heat is lost than your body can generate, hypothermia can result. Wet or damp clothing can increase your chances of hypothermia, as can falling into a cold river. An uncovered head and inadequate clothing are other possible causes. The key sign of hypothermia is an internal body temperature that drops to less than 95 degrees F. Sign and symptoms include: -shivering -slurred speech -abnormally slow breathing -cold,pale skin -loss of coordination -fatigue,lethargy or apathy Symptoms usually develop very slowly. Someone with hypothermia typically experiences gradual loss of mental acuity and physical activity and so may be unaware of the need for emergency medical treatment. To care for someone with hypothermia: 1. Move the patient out of the cold (Place the patient inside the tent).If going indoors isn't possible, protect the person from the wind, cover his or her head and insulate his or her body from the cold ground (a mat/pad can do this trick). 2. Remove wet clothing.Replace it with warm and dry covering. 3. Call for medical emergency assistance if possible. While waiting for help to arrive, monitor person's breathing. If breathing stops or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin CPR immediately. 4. If emergency care isn't available, warm the person with a bath at 100 F to 105 F(The water should be warm to touch but not hot,another importance of having a stove). If this isn't possible, try to insulate the person by sharing body heat. 5. Do not give the person alcohol. Offer warm non alcoholic drinks unless the patient is vomiting. |
| Hypothermia |
| DONE |