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Hypothermia: The Sneak Attack Most of us think of hypothermia as a danger only on the ski slopes or during other winter activities. However, most hypothermia occurs at temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. One main reason for this is that people don't expect it to be a problem at those temperatures, and therefore, aren't prepared. Hypothermia is the cooling of the body's core more quickly than it can produce heat. The body's core involves the internal organs, especially the heart, lungs and brain. If hypothermia is not recognized and treated, the body's systems start to fail. Death is the ultimate outcome. Windy, wet weather contributes greatly to hypothermic conditions. Even a slight breeze can remove significant amounts of heat away from the body. If a person becomes wet, heat is carried away from the body 25 times faster than with normal breathing and perspiration. Other contributing factors include inadequate clothing, fatigue, insufficient intakes of food and liquids, and contact with cold surfaces, such as metal equipment. The consumption of alcohol causes vasodilation, sending heat away from the body's core to the extremeties. Caffeine causes dehydration, which can decrease the body's ability to regulate it's temperature. Smoking should be avoided, also. If you are working or recreating with another person, it is a good idea to look out for each other. A person may not recognize symptoms in him/herself. Early signs to look for are shivering, decreasing motor skills, and increasing mental confusion. At this initial stage, treatment is simple. Find shelter, remove any wet clothes and replace with warm, dry clothing, and feed warm liquids and foods high in carbohydrates. If the person does not warm up, call for medical help. As the person becomes more hypothermic, mental confusion will increase, shivering will become uncontrollable, and motor skills will worsen. At this stage, prevent further heat loss, treat the person gently and call for medical assistance. Do not move the person; rather, build a shelter around him or her. This extreme condition does not need to occur in most situations. There are many steps to avoid hypothermia. Have warm drinks and high carbohydrate foods readily available. Wear a warm hat, 50% of heat loss is through the head. Wear several layers of clothing. The first layer needs to allow perspiration to move away from the body. Polypropylene or knitted silks are very good for this layer. The second layer needs to be able to absorb the moisture and still retain body heat. Wool is the ideal fabric because it stays warm even when wet. The third layer must keep moisture out and warmth in. A rain slicker is a good option.
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