C.O.L.D: covers, overexertion, layers and dry

najrandilmohamud
Nov 30, 2020
4 min read

With the first snow this week and the holidays approaching, I can imagine that any winter fanatic out there wants to play in the snow and practice other outdoor activities. But, beware! Extreme cold is quite dangerous if not equipped properly and often result in hypothermia or frostbite. Not to worry though, as in this article I will be sharing useful tips and tricks on how to prevent and treat these conditions.

Hypothermia vs Frostbite.

Hypothermia happens when one is exposed to very cold temperatures for an extended amount of time. The body starts to lose heat at a quicker pace than it is generated. In time, all energy is used up and the body temperature drops. Often, hypothermia will happen at very cold temperatures but it can also occur at warmer temperatures (4°C or more) if a person gets chilled in rain, sweat or under cold water.

Low body temperature affects the brain which makes hypothermia especially dangerous. Victims may not be aware of their deteriorating condition and therefore don’t get help.

On the other hand, frostbite is considered an injury. It is caused by freezing and causes a loss of feeling and color in the affected parts. The most common injuries are located extremities like the fingers, nose, ears, toes, etc. If not careful, frostbite can turn into permanent damage and rarely lead to amputation.

Main Risk Factors

For Hypothermia

Age (older adults without proper resources or babies sleeping in cold rooms)
Alcohol and drug consumption
People who spend time outdoors ( homeless, hiker, etc.)
Mental illness like dementia
Other medical conditions like hypothyroidism, anorexia, spinal cord injuries and more

For Frostbite

Medical condition that affects one’s ability to respond to cold (ex. dehydration, exhaustion, excessive sweating, poor blood circulation and diabetes)
Alcohol and drug overconsumption and smoking
Previous frostbite injury
Fear, panic or mental illness
Age (young children and older adults have more difficulty retaining heat)
Altitude (higher altitudes reduces oxygen supplies to the body)

Symptoms

Complications

Many complications arise from hypothermia and frostbite like gangrene (tissue decay from a lack of blood), increased sensitivity from the cold, prolonged numbness, joint stiffness and much more. In fact hypothermia and frostbite can often arise from one another.

First Aid Treatment

When treating someone with hypothermia, there is no special procedure that you can perform on the spot but many first aid tips exist such as:

Being gentle and limit movements. Vigorous movements can cause a cardiac arrest.
Moving the victim to a warmer area
Getting rid of any wet clothing
Using layers of blankets for warmth. Cover the whole body and the head leaving the face exposed(the burrito method).

Insulating the victim’s body from the cold ground. Lay a blanket under the affected individual
Monitoring breathing. If breathing stops or is very low, begin CPR
Providing warm beverages, preferably sweet. Avoid alcohol or caffeine at all cost.
Using warm and dry compresses. You can either use a first-aid warm compress if available or make one with a bottle of warm water or dry-warmed towel. Apply to the neck, groin and chest wall.
Avoiding DIRECT HEAT. Direct heat can damage the skin and cause irregular heartbeats

On the other hand, frostbite is an injury and is treated differently. If the frostbite seems superficial, it can be treated at home.

Take the person to a warm room
Do not walk on frostbitten feet or massage frostbitten areas
Put the affected areas in a warm (NOT HOT) water bath.
Avoid DIRECT HEAT.
Reduce pain by taking over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.)

These are not substitute for medical care. In the instance of severe frostbite, go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Feel free to consult the following articles to learn more about medical procedures used when providing care for these conditions.

-> Hypothermia treatment

-> Frostbite treatment

Prevention

The main and obvious thing to do to prevent hypothermia and frostbite is to dress warmly and stay dry. Try to avoid the outdoors when it is extremely cold, wet and windy. Dress in layers of loose warm clothes. Choose waterproof outer garments, wear a hat, mittens and socks.

When outside, try to keep moving to promote blood circulation and body warmth but don’t overdo it.

You can use the mnemonic device C.O.L.D to remember the crucial things that help preventing hypothermia.

C. Cover your body with warm clothes

O. Avoid Overexertion. Do not practice activities that will make you sweat a lot

L. Dress in Layers for heat insulation

D. Stay Dry

Eat a well-balanced meal before going out and stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol.

It is also really helpful to inform someone if you are travelling in bad weather. In the case of an accident, you are likely to get help quicker and avoid hypothermia. Keep emergency supplies and a first aid kit.

Hypothermia under water

While hypothermia mostly happens during the cold winters, sometimes it occurs underwater. “ Any water that's colder than normal body temperature causes heat loss.” (MayoClinic.org). Some ways to increase your chance of survival are:

Wearing a life jacket
Getting out of the water as soon as possible
Do not swim unless you see help or somewhere to stay safe. Save up your energy!
Keep close to others if you are with a group of people. Use the huddle position.
Keep your clothing on.
To retain the most heat, position yourself in the “HELP” posture.