Media Share 9/MEDIASHARE_09.ISO/mag&info/scouts_.zip/WINTSF.TXT

Text File | 1993-02-01 | 8KB | 164 lines

This text was developed to acompany that in the file WINTCM.TXT.  It
discusses situations that might occur on winter camp outs, how to avoid
them and what to to if they do happen.  Please send coments to
Gene Haning, 71501,1173.
                 HYPOTHERMIA
    Hypothermia comes from two Greek words meaning "low heat."  It is the
 condition that develops when the body loses heat faster than it can
 generate it.  Oddly enough, most cases of hypothermia occur when the
 temperature is not extremely cold, usually between 30 and 50 degrees F.,
 and even as high as 70 F. Hyopthermia can kill! Thus it is very important
 to understand it--how it occurs, the signs and symptoms, what to do if it
 occurs and, most important, how to prevent it.

    Causes of hypothermia include:
  EXTREME COLD
  Prolonged exposure to MILD COLD
  IMMERSION IN COLD WATER
  WIND CHILL
  WETNESS
    Other factors that increase the risk of hypothermia include:
  ILLNESS
  FATIGUE
  DEHYDRATION
  AGE (old age or infancy)
  ALCOHOL
  Certain MEDICATIONS

    The symptoms of hypothermia are:
  SHIVERING--This is usually the first sign of hypothermia BUT DOES NOT
  ALWAYS OCCUR.  Elderly persons, those with abnormal body reaction, and
  individuals on certain medicines or using alcohol MAY NOT SHIVER.
  DIFFICULTY PREFORMING USUALLY SIMPLE TASKS--such as zipping clothing or
  tying a knot.
    Later symptoms:
  SLURRED SPEECH
  STUMBLING
  CONFUSED THINKING
  SHIVERING MAY STOP
  WEAKNESS, FATIGUE
  DROWSINESS
  WEAK PULSE
  SHALLOW BREATHING
    Advanced symptoms:
  MUSCLES BECOME RIGID
  HEART BEAT IRREGULAR
  LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS
  DEATH
    Symptoms in the elderly may also include:
  BLOATED FACE
  PALE OR ODDLY PINK SKIN
  TREMBLING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BODY OR IN ONE ARM OR LEG OR STIFFNESS
    It must be noted that a person suffering from hypothermia will
usually deny that they are.  If they have entered the second stage (slurred
speech, etc.) they appear and act drunk.  In this stage or beyond, a person
CANNOT HELP HIMSELF AND MUST HAVE HELP FROM ANOTHER PERSON.

    If hypothermia occurs, treatment must begin as soon as the first
signs are noticed.  Complete recovery is usual in most cases, if treatment
begins soon enough.  Severe hypothermia can cause life-threatening damage
to the heart, liver, kidneys and other organs.
  GET VICTIM TO A WARM PLACE--
a shelter if possible.  If you must stay outside, WRAP THE VICTIM
(ESPECIALLY THE HEAD), protect from wind and keep off the ground, if possible.
In an outdoor setting the best shelter may be a SLEEPING BAG.  REMOVE THE
VICTIMS CLOTHES AND PUT HIM IN A BAG WITH ANOTHER PERSON (ALSO STRIPPED)
AND WITH 2 OTHER IF POSSIBLE.  Skin to skin contact is the most effective
treatment.
  HANDLE VICTIM AS GENTLY AND AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE
  DO NOT RUB OR MASSAGE THE VICTIM'S SKIN
  If possible give victim warm, high energy liquids (i.e. cocoa)
  Give artificial respiration if necessary
  Give CPR if necessary and you are properly trained
  GET VICTIM TO PROFESSIONAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

    Prevention of hypothermia includes recognizing the causes and
prevention the or preparing for them.
    Reschedule activities to avoid exposure to extreme cold and learn
to dress properly and provide adequate shelter for outside activities in
mild cold and wind chill.  Controlled activity can also prevent over
exertion, fatigue and sweating.
    Avoid areas where there may be thin ice with water below.
    High energy foods provide the fuel your body needs to produce heat.
    Warm drinks help maintain body temperature rather than deplete it as
cold drinks do.  Drink plenty of liquids, even if you do not feel thirsty.
Do not eat snow for moisture.
    Every person should watch, not only themselves but, every other
person around them for signs of hypothermia and take action even if the
person with symptoms says he is OK.


                FROSTBITE
    Frostbite is caused by exposure of inadequately protected flesh to
sub-freezing temperatures.

    Symptoms:
  LOSS OF FEELING
  DEAD WHITE APPEARANCE

    Treatment:
  RESTORE BODY TEMPERATURE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE--immersion in warm (less
  then 110 degrees F) is best.
  Keep victim and especially effected area covered.
  GET PROFESSIONAL HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

    Prevention:
  Each person must be aware of his own body and take action if any part
  becomes cold or numb.  Fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks are especially
  susceptible to frostbite.
  All members of the party should watch other members for signs of frostbite.


                SNOW BLINDNESS
    Snow blindness occurs when the eyes are "burned" by the intense rays
of the sun reflected from the snow.
    The best prevention is glasses or goggles that filter ultra-violet
rays.
    If snow blindness occurs, cover eyes and get victim to professional
help as soon as possible.


                 LOST OR INJURED
    If you become lost STOP AND THINK.  Sit down and consider everything
you have been doing.  If you remain calm you may find you are not lost at
all.  LOOK AROUND.  You may recognize a landmark or object that will tell
you where you are.
    If you are indeed lost REMAIN CALM.  Sit down and assess the
situation.  The best bet is to remain where you are until help arrives.
Prepare to spend the night.  Gather firewood and make a shelter.  Do all
you can to say warm but remember that physical activity and tension cause
you to sweat and make your clothes damp. Take it easy.
    Three smoke puffs, three blasts on a whistle, three shouts, three
flashes of light or three of anything is a universal sign to attract
attention and bring help.  You should also know the Ground to Air Signals.
These can be made in the snow with tracks, boughs or any other thing that
can be seen from the air.  SOS is a standard signal for help.


                 AVALANCHES
    Snow avalanches that trap someone may be caused by the victim,
someone above the victim or natural causes.  Since even experts cannot
always predict when a given slide will run it is best to learn to recognize
avalanche shoots and avoid them.
    Generally, snow slides occur on moderate slopes of 30 to 40 degrees
and the trees in the shoot, if any, are shorter the those on either side.
Remember this is "generally."
    A cornice may develop at the top of a shoot.  This is a snow over
hang that is created when wind blows snow over a ridge from behind the shoot.
Traveling over or under a shoot is dangerous as it can break off and cause
the avalanche to run.
    If you are caught in a avalanche DISCARD ALL EQUIPMENT.  TRY TO
"SWIM" TO THE TOP AND SIDE  of the avalanche.  Before you come to a stop,
PUT YOUR HANDS IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE AND TRY TO MAKE AN AIR SPACE in front
of your face as you stop.  Try to remain calm.
    If you see someone become trapped in a snow slide MARK WHERE YOU
LAST SAW THE VICTIM.  LOOK DIRECTLY DOWN HILL FROM THERE using ski poles,
skis, sticks or other long slender objects as probes.  DO NOT GO FOR HELP
UNLESS IT IS VERY CLOSE.  A person buried over half an hour has less than a
50% chance of surviving.
    First aid for an avalanche victim is to treat for suffocation and
shock.  Also treat any apparent injuries.
    Those who travel in the back country should consider obtaining and
learning to use specialized equipment, such as avalanche beacons and
collapsible ski poles that can be extended and used as probes.