Cold Stress from Cold Conditions
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Larry Warner
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Learning
Cold Stress Factors
- Temperature Of
The Air Surrounding The Body.
- Body Temperature.
- Air Movement Around
The Body.
- Body Movement.
- Length Of Exposure.
Cold Environment
- Normal Body Temperature
98.6º F.
- Body Temperature
Drops Below 86º, Control System Becomes Ineffective.
- Below 59º,
Body Begins To Experience Impairment Of Many Functions.
- Most Hypothermia
Results When Ambient Temperature Is Between 30º And 40º F.
- Increased Heat
Lose To The Environment
- Muscle Hypertonus,
Resulting In Shivering, Is Body's Attempt To Maintain Body Temperature.
Hypothermia
- Prolonged Exposure
To Cold Causes The Body To Lose Energy Faster Than It Is Produced.
- Body Temperature
Drops To Lower Than Normal.
- Can Happen When
Temperatures Are Above Freezing.
Conditions Affecting
Hypothermia
- Aging, Allergies,
Poor Circulation, & Illness.
- Self-imposed Conditions,
Such As Drinking, Smoking, & Taking Sedatives Also Increase Risks.
- Wet Clothing,
Windy Conditions, & Poor Physical Condition.
Hypothermia Symptoms
- Numbness, Stiffness,
Drowsiness, Poor Coordination.
- Slow Or Irregular
Breathing And Heart Rate. Slurred Speech.
- Cool Skin, And
Puffiness In The Face Are Common.
- May Seem Apathetic
About Getting Out Of Cold.
- Shivering And
Teeth Chattering Is A Sure Sign That Body Temperature Is Too Low.
- Victim First Feels
Cold Then May Feel Mild Pain In Extremities.
- Victim May Seem
Confused & Disoriented Memory Lapses.
- Worst-Case Results
Can Cause Death.
Safety Procedures
- Get Victim To
Where It Is Warm.
- Get Them Out Of
Wet, Frozen, Or Tight Clothing; Keep Victim Dry.
- Get Them Into
Loose Warm Clothes Or Blankets.
- Give Warm (Room
Temperature) Liquids.
- Do Not Give Alcohol
Or Substances Containing Caffeine.
- Warm Center Of
Body First.
- If Necessary,
Seek Medical Assistance & Give CPR.
Frostbite
- Most Serious,
And Second Most Common, Cold Exposure Hazard.
- Nose, Ears, Cheeks,
Fingers, & Toes Most Often Affected.
- Affected Area
Doesnt Get Enough Heat & Freezes.
- Freezing Causes
Blood Vessel Constriction.
- Results In Lack
Of Oxygen, Excess Fluid Buildup, Blistering, And Tissue Death.
- May Not Be Aware
Anything Bad Is Happening.
- Recognized By
Distant Pallor Of The Exposed Skin.
- Skin Goes From
White Or Grayish Yellow, To Reddish Violet, To Black.
- Usual Feeling
Of Being Really Cold, Then Numb.
- May Get A Tingling
Or Aching Feeling Or Brief Pain.
- Damage To Skin
Sometimes Caused Blisters
- Constricted Blood
Vessels Impair Blood Flow.
- Can Cause Permanent
Tissue Damage.
- Victim Can Become
Unconscious
- Death May Result
From Heart Failure.
- If Necessary,
Seek Medical Assistance & Give CPR.
Care Of Frostbite
- Dont Rub
Affected Part.
- Dont Use
Hot Baths, Or Heat Producing Devices.
- Dont Break
Blisters.
- Warm The Frozen
Part With Clothing, Blankets, Or With Room Temperature Water.
- Once Warm, Exercise
The Part.
- Exception: Do
Not Walk On Frostbitten Feet.
Driving Emergency
Preparedness
- Serviceable Clothing
(Sweatshirt, Jeans, Coveralls, Coat).
- Distilled Water
And Anti Freeze.
- Easily Stored
Food (Chips, Candy Bars, Cookies, Some Canned Foods, Etc.)
- Matches, In A
Waterproof Container.
- Large Candles
- Tool Kit (Pliers,
Screwdrivers, Crescent Wrench, Jumper Cables, Duct Tape Electrician's
Tape, Etc.)
- A Couple Quarts
Of Motor Oil And Multipurpose Lubricant, Such As WD40.
- Ice Scraper, Sand
or Kitty Litter, Traction Mat, Shovel.
- Road Atlas.
- Reflective Triangles
or Flares.
- Couple Blankets
Or Comforters.
Be Prepared for
A Driving Emergency
- THE TWO MOST
IMPORTANT ITEMS:
- A HEALTHY
RESPECT FOR YOUR SAFETY IN COLD WEATHER !! AND
- A CELLULAR
PHONE!!
Protection
- Prevention Is
The Best Way To Deal With Cold Stress.
- Dont Drink
Alcohol, Bathe, Smoke, Or Take Drugs Before Being Exposed To Cold.
- Dress In Loose
Layers Of Dry Clothing.
- Cover Hands, Feet,
Face, & Head.
- In Cold Environment,
Keep Moving.
- Take Regular Breaks
in Warm Places.
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