SEA GRANT NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE NATION - JANUARY 26, 1998
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following are tips for cold weather safety and survival.
COLD WEATHER SURVIVAL -- FIRST AID FOR HYPOTHERMIA VICTIMS Exposure during skiing, sledding, ice skating and other winter activities can lead to hypothermia -- a gradual lowering of body temperature that can result in death if left unchecked. Symptoms are a blue appearance, violent shivering, muscle spasms, loss of arm and leg control, mental disorientation, and eventually loss of consciousness. According to Michigan Sea Grant Extension Agent Steve Stewart, "First aid can be very important for preventing the deepening of the hypothermia. This can mean the difference between death or survival." Rewarming the victim is critical in hypothermia first aid. Techniques range from getting the victim into warm shelter and clothing and administering hot, sugary drinks (but not alcohol) for minor cases to aggressive rewarming for victims who are unconscious or showing signs of clouded consciousness. "Once hypothermia has progressed beyond vigorous shivering, merely wrapping victims in blankets will only keep them cold," says Stewart. Heat must be supplied to the head, neck, sides of chest and groin areas of the victim. Hot packs, heating pads or towels warmed with hot water work well. For a victim who is fully conscious and with no other major injuries, a warm bath, with the victim's arms and legs kept out of the water, is also a good way to rewarm the body. The aim of all first aid methods, Stewart says, is to warm the body from the core outward to minimize the effects of "afterdrop," which occurs when cool blood from the extremities returns to the core, lowering body temperature further. CONTACT: Steve Stewart, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Agent, (O) 810-469-6085; [email protected]
WINTER SPORTS SAFETY MEANS KNOWING THE DANGERS OF THIN ICE If you enjoy ice fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating or other winter sports, it's important to know when it's safe to go onto the ice. Just because a lake or stream is frozen doesn't mean the ice is safe. While staying off is the only absolute rule for ice safety, there are precautions winter sportsmen can take to decrease their chances of falling through. Before you venture out, assess the condition of the ice. New ice is generally much stronger than old ice and thickness may not be uniform. Ice is weaker near shore and can be dangerous around inflows and outflows and near river mouths. It's also important to know what ice thickness your activity requires. Ice that is two inches thick or more is usually sufficient to hold a single person walking on foot. Ice fishing requires at least four inches of ice, and a snowmobile, five inches. Before you head out onto the ice, check with a local bait shop owner, resort owner or ice angler about areas where ice is known to be thin. Finally, be prepared for falling through the ice by wearing proper clothing. A nylon snowmobile suit, if it's zipped up, can trap air and slow your body's heat loss. The trapped air, says Wisconsin Sea Grant Advisory Services Education Specialist Jim Lubner, will also help to keep you afloat in case of falling through. A personal floatation device (PFD) worn under your clothing will also keep you warm and afloat in case of a breakthrough. Don't wear a PFD, however, while traveling across ice inside a car or truck since it could hamper your escape if your vehicle goes under with you inside. CONTACT: Jim Lubner, Wisconsin Sea Grant Advisory Services Education Specialist, (O) 414-227-3291; E-Mail: [email protected]
DRESSING SMART AND SAFE -- CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLOTHING FOR COLD WEATHER Staying safe and warm during the frigid winter months requires wearing proper clothing. Warm clothes hold body heat close to your skin, protecting you from hypothermia and frostbite. Here are some tips on how to dress properly in cold weather from the Alaska Sea Grant publication, Dressing for Cold. Before you head out, think about current weather conditions and what you will be doing outside. Different types of activities require different types of clothing. If you'll be sitting still, lots of loose layers and a long, thick coat and snow pants will keep you the warmest. However, if you'll be shoveling snow or participating in a winter sport, you're going to sweat. Wear a first layer of long underwear made of wool or wicking polyester. These materials take sweat away from the skin, keeping you dry even if they're wet. Cotton will not keep you warm when wet. Thick, loose shirts, sweaters and pants made of wool or synthetic fleece are good middle layers. On the outside, wear coats and pants with zippers and vents to let warm, wet air escape. Other body parts that you need to keep warm are your head, hands and feet. Half of your body's heat is lost through the head alone. Choose a good winter hat that covers your ears and wear layers of mittens (which are warmer than gloves) with covers that keep out water. If you must use your fingers, wear gloves with thick insulation. Wear thin polyester socks that help take sweat away from your skin and cover them with wool or fleece socks. Finally, choose warm boots with rough tread on the bottoms to ensure safe walking. CONTACT: Dan Falvey, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, (O) 907-747-3287; E-Mail: [email protected]
Created in 1966, Sea Grant is a national network of 29-university-based programs of research, outreach and education dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of the United States' coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources. The National Sea Grant Network is a partnership of participating coastal states, private industry and the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminstration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
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