BRRR – IT’S COLD!!!

If you love snow, especially light, fluffy, powder, you love playing outside in the cold.  But I bet you don’t enjoy being cold! Unfortunately sometimes we do get cold, maybe even very cold.  In this column I’m going to discuss hypothermia: what it is, how to avoid it and how to start treatment for it in the backcountry.

So what is hypothermia?  
Basically it’s anytime your body’s internal temperature drops below its baseline, which is usually 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).  For most clinical discussions though, hypothermia is defined as a body temperature below 95F (35C).  

What’s the big deal?
Well, besides being very uncomfortable (at least in the early stages), it’s very dangerous. The body is an incredibly complex machine with a vast number of chemical processes going on all the time, which can only happen in a very narrow range of temperatures.  As the body cools down, the reactions slow down.  As your body’s chemical reactions slow down it can reach a point where breathing and circulation are no longer possible. You can think of severe hypothermia as an emergency in slow motion!  

What it looks like?
Mild hypothermia is pretty easy to recognize.  You (or your friend) will feel very cold, shiver a lot and perhaps feel a bit uncoordinated.  As your core temperature drops, your body starts to fail. You will stop shivering and may become confused, and breathing and heart rate go from rapid to slow.  Any coordinated movement (such as walking) becomes difficult.  In the final stages you become comatose, unable to respond.  There is also a risk of your heart going into ventricular fibrillation, a fatal arrhythmia.

How to avoid hypothermia?
Human beings have been so successful as a species because we can adapt to so many different environments; from the jungles and deserts of Africa to the mountains of Asia and the polar regions of North America.  But humans cannot “physiologically” adapt to cold. How do we do it?  Well, there is one organ in the human body that helps us adapt to cold: the brain!  We stay inside or dress warmly when it’s cold outside.  So as snow enthusiasts, the most important thing we need to do to avoid hypothermia is wear and bring the appropriate clothing.  And since accidents happen I try to remember to always bring enough clothing (or gear) to spend an unexpected night out. And I assume the temperature will be about 10 degrees lower than forecasted.  I also throw a small bivy sac in my pack along with my first aid kit, just in case.  A few other tricks many of us use include layering, avoiding cotton clothes, removing layers when climbing, putting on a warm hat when our toes are cold, carrying a thermos with a hot drink, and avoid getting wet at all costs. One extra note: alcohol has no role in treating hypothermia.  Remember, our brain is why we survive in the cold. Don’t mess it up with drugs or alcohol when you’re in a potentially hostile environment.

How do I treat hypothermia in the backcountry?
If you suspect one of your partners is becoming hypothermic the first thing you should do is stop what you’re doing and make sure to warm him up.  This may be as simple as adding extra layers (be sure to remove damp or wet layers) and having a hot drink. If you suspect the hypothermia is progressing to a more severe stage and your partner can walk or ride out, it’s often best to get them out to a warm car or building. If they can’t get out on their own, can your group carry or sled them out?  If not, you need to think about how to warm them up.  If you have a sleeping bag, make sure you warm it up first!  This can be as simple as putting someone in the bag (lightly clothed) to warm it up.  You might even put the victim in the bag with another person.  Make sure the victim doesn’t have any damp or wet clothing on.  Then send someone out to get help, or call 911 if you have phone coverage.

Remember, we choose to be in the backcountry for fun.  With a few precautions and some sound judgment, you should never have to deal with hypothermia.

For more info please see the link below

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VWQLHOoHa0

Article Courtesy of
David Fiore, MD. 
Professor, Univ of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Sierra Avalanche Center Board Member