How to Responsibly avoid Hypothermia in your next Hiking Trip!

rubiyatrumel123
Dec 2, 2020
2 min read

We have approach to the cold weather season, winter! As we all know, Montreal cold weather strikes pretty hard. Therefore, what better time to talk about Hypothermia!

What is Hypothermia

❄️ Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it.

A normal body temperature ranges from 97.5°F (36.4°C) to 99.6°F (37.6°C), and for most people it is 98.6°F (37°C). For information on how to take an accurate temperature.

Sometimes a normal, healthy adult has a low body temperature, such as 96°F (36°C). If the person with the low body temperature is not ill, does not have any other problems, and is not an infant or an older adult, then evaluation usually is not needed.

Here is a video explaining what hypothermia is and the seriousness of it:

Causes

Hypothermia can occur when you are exposed to cold air, water, wind, or rain. Your body temperature can drop to a low level at temperatures of 50°F (10°C) or higher in wet and windy weather, or if you are in 60°F (16°C) to 70°F (21°C) water. If you have mild hypothermia, home treatment may be enough to bring your body temperature back up to normal.

Symptoms

Early symptoms include:

Shivering.
Cold, pale, or blue-gray skin.
Lack of interest or concern (apathy).
Poor judgment.
Mild unsteadiness in balance or walking.
Slurred speech.
Numb hands and fingers and problems performing tasks.

Late symptoms include:

The trunk of the body is cold to the touch.
Muscles becoming stiff.
Slow pulse.
Breathing that is shallow and slower.
Weakness or sleepiness.
Shivering, which may stop if body temperature drops below 90°F (32°C).

Hypothermia vs Frostbites

Your normal body temperature is about 98.6° F (37° C). Hypothermia is more serious and widespread in your body than frostbite, which affects specific parts of your exposed skin. Frostbite happens when part of your body freezes, damaging your skin cells and tissues.

The picture clearly shows their differences:

Treatment

Medical treatment for hypothermia depends on the severity of the hypothermia. Treatment of mild hypothermia includes getting out of the cold or wet environment, using warm blankets, heaters, and hot water bottles.

Moderate to severe hypothermia generally is treated in the hospital, where doctors can use special techniques to warm the core body temperature.

First aid tips: