Cold kills in 2 distinct steps
Exposure
o cold
o wind
Exhaustion
Increased risk
Predisposing health conditions
o cardiovascular disease
o diabetes
o hypertension
Medications
Poor physical condition
Mild hypothermia
Body temperature 97F - 93F
Shivering
Alert
Numbness in limbs, loss of dexterity, clumsiness
Pain from cold
Moderate hypothermia
Body temperature 93F - 90F
Same symptoms as mild hypothermia except: shivering may decrease or stop
Severe hypothermia
Body temperature 90 F - 82F
Shivering decreased or stopped
Confusion and loss of reasoning
Slurred speech
Semi to unconscious
Muscular rigidity
Critical hypothermia
Body temperature < 82F
Unconscious and may appear dead
Little breathing
Pulse slow
Eyes dilated
Body is rigid
Mild hypothermia - First aid
Prevent further heat loss
Give warm sweet liquids
Apply gentle heat source
Exercise to generate heat
Keep head and neck covered
Moderate hypothermia - First aid
Same as mild but limit exercise
Sips of warm liquids if victim fully conscious
No alcohol
Checked by MD
Severe hypothermia - First aid
Victim is in serious trouble
Treat for shock
Apply external heat source
Avoid jarring victim
No food or drink
Transport gently to hospital
Critical hypothermia - First aid
Don’t give up
Handle with extreme care
Tilt head to open airway
CPR
Stabilize temperature with external heat source
Hospitalization
Frostbite
Freezing of deep layers of skin
Pale, waxy-white skin color
Skin becomes hard and numb
Usually affects:
o Fingers and hands
o Toes and feet
o Ears and nose
Frostbite - First aid
Move victim to warm dry area
Remove wet or tight clothing
Do not rub affected areas
Gently place affected area in warm water
Seek medical attention
Protection from hypothermia
Wear warm head covering
Wear layered clothing
Protect feet and hands
Drink plenty of fluids
Pace yourself during activities in the cold
How to protect:
Recognize conditions that lead to cold-induced injuries and illnesses
Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced injuries and illnesses
Train the workforce
Select proper clothing and headwear
Take frequent breaks in warm area
Perform work in warmer part of day
Avoid exhaustion and fatigue
Use the buddy system
Drink warm beverages. Avoid those with caffeine
Eat warm, high calorie foods
Hypothermia in water
Body heat loss is 25 times faster in water than in cold air
Swimming increases heat loss by 35%
What You Can Do to Prevent Cold Stress
Winter weather is just around the corner, but did you know cold stress, or "hypothermia," can occur any time of year? In fact, most cases of cold stress develop in air temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. People who are exposed to lower temperatures are at risk for injuries ranging from frostbite to serious loss of body heat which could result in brain damage or death.
Dress warmly, in layers. Preserving an air space between the body and the outer layer of clothing will help retain body heat. Choose fabrics such as cotton or wool which insulate but also allow sweat to evaporate. It is especially important to protect the feet, hands, head, and face. These parts of the body are farthest from the heart and are the hardest to keep warm. Almost half your body heat can be lost through the head, so cover it up as well.
Keep dry. Wetness greatly increases the chance of cold stress. Always have extra clothing available if there's a chance you could get wet. Keep your feet dry, they are very susceptible to frostbite.
Take a break. You may think it's wise to keep on working in cold temperatures. After all, working makes you break a sweat and you feel warmer. But if you become fatigued during physical activity, your body loses its ability to properly retain heat. This causes rapid cooling which can quickly lead to cold stress. When you take a break, be sure to replace lost fluids and calories by drinking warm, sweet, caffeine-free nonalcoholic drinks and soup.
Eat right. A proper diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to withstand cold stress. A restrictive diet may deprive your body the ability to work well in cold temperatures.
Don't work alone. In cold-stress prone environments, a buddy system should be used. Look out for one another and be alert for the symptoms of cold stress.
Learn what to look out for. The effects of cold stress may not be apparent to its victim. The first symptoms of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering and the sensation of cold. The heartbeat slows and may become irregular, and the pulse weakens. As the condition worsens, severe shaking or rigid muscles may be evident. The victim may also have slurred speech, memory lapses, and drowsiness. Cool skin, slow, irregular breathing, and exhaustion occur as the body temperature drops even lower. This is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Frostbite can occur without accompanying hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when the fluids around the body's tissues freeze. The most vulnerable parts of the body are the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes. Symptoms of frostbite include coldness and tingling in the affected part, followed by numbness; changes in skin color to white or grayish-yellow, initial pain which subsides as the condition worsens, and possibly blisters. Frostbite can cause irreversible tissue damage and requires immediate medical attention.
If you work in lower-temperature environments, always be alert for the possibility of cold stress. Follow these guidelines to help protect yourself from injury. Remember, it doesn't have to be freezing for cold stress to occur. Take steps to protect yourself.
MINUS TEMPRATURE IN RIYADH, KSA ON 15-18 JANUARY 2008
COLD STRESS
Cold stress
Normal body temperature - 98.6F
Cold stress occurs when body temperature drops to < 95F
Body heat loss
Respiration
Evaporation
Conduction
Radiation
Convection
Hypothermia
Cold kills in 2 distinct steps
Exposure
o cold
o wind
Exhaustion
Increased risk
Predisposing health conditions
o cardiovascular disease
o diabetes
o hypertension
Medications
Poor physical condition
Mild hypothermia
Body temperature 97F - 93F
Shivering
Alert
Numbness in limbs, loss of dexterity, clumsiness
Pain from cold
Moderate hypothermia
Body temperature 93F - 90F
Same symptoms as mild hypothermia except: shivering may decrease or stop
Severe hypothermia
Body temperature 90 F - 82F
Shivering decreased or stopped
Confusion and loss of reasoning
Slurred speech
Semi to unconscious
Muscular rigidity
Critical hypothermia
Body temperature < 82F
Unconscious and may appear dead
Little breathing
Pulse slow
Eyes dilated
Body is rigid
Mild hypothermia - First aid
Prevent further heat loss
Give warm sweet liquids
Apply gentle heat source
Exercise to generate heat
Keep head and neck covered
Moderate hypothermia - First aid
Same as mild but limit exercise
Sips of warm liquids if victim fully conscious
No alcohol
Checked by MD
Severe hypothermia - First aid
Victim is in serious trouble
Treat for shock
Apply external heat source
Avoid jarring victim
No food or drink
Transport gently to hospital
Critical hypothermia - First aid
Don’t give up
Handle with extreme care
Tilt head to open airway
CPR
Stabilize temperature with external heat source
Hospitalization
Frostbite
Freezing of deep layers of skin
Pale, waxy-white skin color
Skin becomes hard and numb
Usually affects:
o Fingers and hands
o Toes and feet
o Ears and nose
Frostbite - First aid
Move victim to warm dry area
Remove wet or tight clothing
Do not rub affected areas
Gently place affected area in warm water
Seek medical attention
Protection from hypothermia
Wear warm head covering
Wear layered clothing
Protect feet and hands
Drink plenty of fluids
Pace yourself during activities in the cold
How to protect:
Recognize conditions that lead to cold-induced injuries and illnesses
Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced injuries and illnesses
Train the workforce
Select proper clothing and headwear
Take frequent breaks in warm area
Perform work in warmer part of day
Avoid exhaustion and fatigue
Use the buddy system
Drink warm beverages. Avoid those with caffeine
Eat warm, high calorie foods
Hypothermia in water
Body heat loss is 25 times faster in water than in cold air
Swimming increases heat loss by 35%
What You Can Do to Prevent Cold Stress
Winter weather is just around the corner, but did you know cold stress, or "hypothermia," can occur any time of year? In fact, most cases of cold stress develop in air temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. People who are exposed to lower temperatures are at risk for injuries ranging from frostbite to serious loss of body heat which could result in brain damage or death.
Dress warmly, in layers. Preserving an air space between the body and the outer layer of clothing will help retain body heat. Choose fabrics such as cotton or wool which insulate but also allow sweat to evaporate. It is especially important to protect the feet, hands, head, and face. These parts of the body are farthest from the heart and are the hardest to keep warm. Almost half your body heat can be lost through the head, so cover it up as well.
Keep dry. Wetness greatly increases the chance of cold stress. Always have extra clothing available if there's a chance you could get wet. Keep your feet dry, they are very susceptible to frostbite.
Take a break. You may think it's wise to keep on working in cold temperatures. After all, working makes you break a sweat and you feel warmer. But if you become fatigued during physical activity, your body loses its ability to properly retain heat. This causes rapid cooling which can quickly lead to cold stress. When you take a break, be sure to replace lost fluids and calories by drinking warm, sweet, caffeine-free nonalcoholic drinks and soup.
Eat right. A proper diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to withstand cold stress. A restrictive diet may deprive your body the ability to work well in cold temperatures.
Don't work alone. In cold-stress prone environments, a buddy system should be used. Look out for one another and be alert for the symptoms of cold stress.
Learn what to look out for. The effects of cold stress may not be apparent to its victim. The first symptoms of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering and the sensation of cold. The heartbeat slows and may become irregular, and the pulse weakens. As the condition worsens, severe shaking or rigid muscles may be evident. The victim may also have slurred speech, memory lapses, and drowsiness. Cool skin, slow, irregular breathing, and exhaustion occur as the body temperature drops even lower. This is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Frostbite can occur without accompanying hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when the fluids around the body's tissues freeze. The most vulnerable parts of the body are the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes. Symptoms of frostbite include coldness and tingling in the affected part, followed by numbness; changes in skin color to white or grayish-yellow, initial pain which subsides as the condition worsens, and possibly blisters. Frostbite can cause irreversible tissue damage and requires immediate medical attention.
If you work in lower-temperature environments, always be alert for the possibility of cold stress. Follow these guidelines to help protect yourself from injury. Remember, it doesn't have to be freezing for cold stress to occur. Take steps to protect yourself.