How to survive and treat Hypothermia
Hypothermia is caused by a person being exposed to very cold temperatures for a extended period of time. When you are exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be generated. Extended exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the individual unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it. While hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
What are some signs of hypothermia?
Shivering, exhaustion, drowsiness, memory loss, confusion, fumbling or loss of dexterity, slurred speech, flushed or red skin and a odd feeling of warmness
How to treat it
Hypothermia is best to treat before you have it. Taking the proper precautions to protect yourself can greatly reduce the chance of you being exposed. If you suspect you or someone else to have hypothermia, get warm and get dry! If you are wet, you need to get out of the wet clothes and take a warm shower. If you are in a survival situation you need to get shelter and warm liquid in your system immediately. Without getting dry and warm there is not much you can do. But warm drinks help more than a warm fire due to its ability to warm your core faster. If you are not alone skin to skin contact is one of the best ways to prevent hypothermia only if you do not put yourself or the other at risk when doing it.
Always dress appropriate for winter conditions. Wool is the best, never cotton! Cotton is bad at retaining heat and when wet will make you cold faster and never dry fast enough. Wool can perform great even when wet. Wool socks and gloves are amazing when paired with a synthetic top and fleece jackets. But never make yourself too warm. You can make yourself hypothermic just by sweating. When hiking or doing physical activities your body will generate heat, so you can dress in light winter clothing to give your body a perfect balance of comfort and warmth. As soon as you unzip your jacket your sweat could freeze and that would suck! Thats why I say wear synthetic tops because they are breathable and won’t hold moisture, its pretty much common sense. Thats why they say COTTON KILLS!
Who is more susceptible to Hypothermia?
Children, elderly, people with inadequate food, shelter and clothing, outdoorsmen, and people who use illegal drugs and/or alcohol.