Hypothermia is a serious medical condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Among the signs of hypothermia are decreased body temperature, shivering, extreme fatigue, confusion, lack of coordination, and slurred speech.
When we are exposed to the cold, our bodies lose heat at a faster rate than we are able to produce it. A normal body temperature is around 98.6. Hypothermia is considered to have occurred when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Most of this heat loss occurs through the skin, with the remaining loss occurring through normal breathing.
As our bodies struggle to survive, our brain functions become impaired, which disrupts our ability to think clearly or move with coordination. This impaired mental function can make a dangerous situation even worse. Wet conditions such as getting caught in the rain or snow can accelerate the process of becoming hypothermic as heat loss can be up to 25-30 times faster when in contact with a cold object such as wet clothing or when immersed in water.
This is no reason to stay inside as the temperatures drop this year. In fact, with some precautions, you can have great fall and winter seasons and enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest. Steven Decker, with the Northern Warfare Training Center at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, has five tips to help keep you warm even if you are going to be in freezing temperatures for an extended period of time. Decker’s overall advice is not to get cold in the first place. This sounds obvious, but it is actually the best piece of relevant advice you can receive.
1.) Fuel your body. Make sure you are consuming enough calories if you are or soon will be, outside in freezing temperatures. Decker’s soldiers consume 4,500 to 6,000 calories per day when training. You might not need to eat like a soldier, but make sure you are well-fed and consume plenty of water. Decker also encourages snacking or “grazing meals” when on the go or between regular meals.
2.) Cover your body. Decker believes clothing should insulate, ventilate, and provide protection from the wind. Dress in layers. Start with good cold-weather underwear and build from there. Finish with a water-resistant shell. In addition, keep dry layers available in case you need to replace wet clothing or add to existing layers.
3.) Move. Stay as active as possible. Wiggle your fingers and toes, circle your arms, and walk. Keep moving. Don’t allow the cold to take hold of you. Exercise burns calories which creates heat.
4.) Stay alert. If you are in a group, keep an eye on those around you. If someone is acting out of character, having trouble moving, has slurred speech, or is displaying other symptoms of hypothermia, get help. You also need to make sure that you are observing these same signs and symptoms in yourself and take appropriate steps if necessary.
5.) Don’t fear the cold. Cold weather should not be feared, but it definitely needs to be respected. Be smart and take precautions. Make sure you are adequately fed, hydrated, and dressed. Wear appropriate footwear. Be adaptable and keep spare clothing on hand. Also, be prepared to be outside for an extended period in case you get lost, or things don’t go as planned.
