Hypothemia and cold weather survival ppt

hypothermia

1. Hypothermia and Cold
Weather Survival
Officer Stephen Verchinski
New Mexico State Parks

2. Cold Water Near Drowning
Drowning - Lungs fill with Water (aka
Pulmonary Aspiration
Near Drowning - Survival of up to 24
hours after a drowning episode.
(Warm and Dead - 30 Degrees C)
Hypothermia (Hypo- Low, Therme -
Heat)“A Dangerous Loss of Heat”

3. Cold Water Submersion
Adults - Asphyxiation and Immediate
Hypothermia
RAPID CORE COOLING - LOW BOD
Children - Cool More Rapidly
Heart to 7 BPM Epiglotis Closes
MAMMALIAN DIVING REFLEX 30 MIN.

4. FORCES IN THERMAL
REGULATION IN COLD
THIS IS A BALANCE BETWEEN THE COLD
CHALLENGE AND YOUR ABILITY TO
PRODUCE OR RETAIN HEAT.
THE COLD CHALLENGE -- The environment
working to take heat away from the body.
HEAT RETENTION -- The body’s ability to
retain heat.
HEAT PRODUCTION -- The body’s ability to
produce heat

5. Your Body’s Reaction to a
Cold Challenge
1. The Cold Response
2. Mild Hypothermia
3. Severe Hypothermia

6. The Cold Response
The body’s normal physiological
response to a cold challenge
ASSESSMENT
Blood is shunted from the periphery to the core.
Mild shivering: if exercise is not adequate for heat
production
A normal level of consciousness
Fine motor function may be impaired.
Increased urination causing a loss of fluid

7. The Cold Response
TREATMENT
Add more clothing layers (Heat Retention)
Increase fluid/fuel intake (Heat Production)
Increase exercise (Heat Production)
THE BOTTOM LINE -- EASILY DEALT WITH IF
RECOGNIZED EARLY. EMS INVOLVEMENT OR SAR IS
TO EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE.

8. MILD HYPOTHERMIA
THE BODY’S ABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR
THE COLD CHALLENGE IS OVERWHELMED
The onset of mild hypothermia is a field
emergency, indicating a significant drop in core
temperature has already occurred.

9. MILD HYPOTHERMIA
ASSESSMENT
Mental status changes: irritable, lethargic,
mild confusion (may appear drunk)
Shivering may be present
Loss of fine motor function
Shell to core shunting
Core temp. Less than 90 degrees F, 32 deg. C
Other VS within normal parameters

10. MILD HYPOTHERMIA
Treatment
Shelter from wind
and moisture
Remove wet
clothes :replace with
dry.
Body to body contact
may be helpful
Insulate from the
ground or snow
Use a vapor barrier
over clothing to cut
evaporative heat loss
Take in fluids (warm
drinks)
Take in Calories
Exercise to increase
heat production once
above completed.

11. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
This is a true medical emergency.
The patient has lost all ability to fight
the cold challenge. Rescue efforts
should be directed to gentle rapid
transport and preventing further heat
loss.

12. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
ASSESSMENT
Significant decrease in LOC
Shell to core effect is extreme
Core temperature less than 90 degrees F
No shivering
“Metabolic Icebox” effect. VS depressed
or unobtainable. Pupils dialated with CA

13. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
Treatment
Nothing by mouth
Airway to be open
Slow Mouth to Mouth
CPR 6-12
Breaths/Min.40-60
Comp./Min.
Primary/Secondary
Injury Mgmt.
Reduce further heat
loss.
Package for rapid
transport accordingly
Handle gently
Prevent exercise
Avoid shell rewarming
Evacuate flat.

14. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
Treatment Concerns and Upgrades
Warmed, Humidified Oxygen (Rescue Air
RES-Q-AIR 9”x3”x2” weight 4.5 $1600
Flex Disks Thermo Pads. CORE AREA
ONLY
No Drugs -- Pooling Shock
ProtocolsEMS Academy Kyle Thornton
State of Alaska EMT I,II,III JAMA
October 28, 1992