Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Winter Activities

Hypothermia

Hypothermia literally means low (hypo) temperature (thermia). As safety conscious outdoor enthusiasts we are concerned mainly about low body temperatures. For our brain, and other vital organs, to function properly we need to maintain four requirements: 1- adequate oxygen, 2- adequate fluid (blood) pressure, 3- adequate blood sugar, and 4-proper temperature.

Our proper body temperature is 98.6°F(37°C) and it can only operate in a very narrow temperature range. In order to stay within this narrow temperature range we need to either generate or conserve our body heat. We can generate heat by increasing our metabolism by becoming active (hiking faster, doing jumping jacks, etc). To conserve this additional heat we may cross our arms, curl up in a fetal position, or by simply adding more clothing.

At some point in a hypothermic victim their body’s ability to generate and conserve heat is overcome by the amount of heat loss. Hypothermia occurs most commonly when the air temperature is between 30-50°F(-1-10°C). Don’t wait until winter to think about hypothermia. In the outdoors we should be concerned about hypothermia all year round.

Hypothermia Symptoms

• Uncontrollable fits of shivering
• Vague, slow, slurred speech
• Memory lapses, incoherence
• Immobile, fumbling hands, lurching walk, stumbling
• Drowsiness (TO SLEEP IS TO DIE)
• Apparent exhaustion, inability to get up after a rest

First Line Of Defense: Avoid exposure, stay dry, BE AWARE OF THE WIND, understand and don’t underestimate the cold.

Second Line Of Defense: Terminate exposure get out of the wind and the rain, and build a fire.

NEVER IGNORE SHIVERING. FORESTALL EXHAUSTION. IF POSSIBLE, APPOINT A FOUL-WEATHER LEADER.

Third Line Of Defense: Watch yourself and others for the symptoms listed above.

Fourth Line Of Defense: TREATMENT

1. Get victim out of the wind and rain
2. Strip off all wet clothes.
3. If patient is only mildly impaired, give the person warm drinks.
4. Get the person into dry clothes and warm sleeping bag.
5. If the person is semi-conscious, try to keep awake.
6. Leave them stripped, put in sleeping bag with another person (also stripped).
7. Skin to skin contact is the most effective.
8. Build a fire to warm the camp.

Altitude Sickness

At 10,000 feet, air contains only two-thirds the oxygen it has at sea level. In addition, the higher air pressure at sea level easily forces the available oxygen through the thin lining of the lungs into the bloodstream. At high elevations, there is less air pressure and the available oxygen is not so easily forced through the lung walls.

• Symptoms: Listlessness, loss of appetite, weakness, apathy, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness.
• Treatment: Stop and rest, breathe deeply a few times, and obtain nourishment from simple sugars such as candy or fruit juices. Travel to lower elevation.
• Prevention: Keep in good physical condition and eat a well-balanced diet. Avoid sudden trips to high altitudes requiring immediate physical exercise. Drink plenty of water.

Hyperventilation

• Symptoms: This reaction to altitude is caused by breathing that is too rapid and a decrease of the carbon dioxide level in the blood, causing light-headedness and cold feeling. Victims are apprehensive and excited.
• Prevention: Same as altitude sickness.

Nutrition

• A good rule is "lightweight but loaded," meaning loaded with calories. Plan your meals to ensure a balanced diet of high-energy foods. Take along plenty of snacks.
• Water is often difficult to find in winter. All that is available may be what you take or can melt. Replacement of fluid is very important for maintaining physical condition.

Sanitation

• What you carry in, please carry out. Take food in easily compressed packages, such as foil, that requires little space in your gear.
• Avoid leaving human waste near any water source. If you are in a group, avoid concentrating wastes. Nature can assimilate only small quantities at a time. Bury solid waste 6 inches underground.