2 Cold Related Emergencies to be Prepared for this Winter. Frost Bite and Hypothermia

2 Cold Related Emergencies to be Prepared for this Winter. Frost Bite and Hypothermia

Nov 19, 2018 | Safety

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve got no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” The cold winter months and frigid temperatures are here for most of us. It is time to get prepared for the worst. Below are the two most prevalent winter related emergencies to be prepared for this snowy season.

Frostbite

Don’t get bit by Jack Frost this winter. Our first Cold Related Emergency to be prepared for this winter is frost bite. Frost bite is caused by exposure to extreme cold temperatures for an extended period of time. Frostbite causes tissue just below the skin to freeze. First onset signs and symptoms of frostbite include:

  • Prickling feeling of the skin
  • Numbness
  • Red, white, blue, and grey-yellow looking skin
  • Muscle tightness
  • Blistering in severe cases

 

Vulnerable Areas

When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, the natural reaction is for blood to rush to the torso to protect target organs. Because of this, several areas of the body are left highly vulnerable to frostbite including:

  • Fingers
  • Toes
  • Ears
  • Nose
  • Cheeks 

 

Treating Frostbite

Recognizing these signs and symptoms is the first step to treating frost bite. If you or someone else is exposed to cold temperatures, it is important to immediately get the individual to a warmer area. Look for discoloration in vulnerable areas, and immediately remove damp or wet clothing such as gloves, socks, or hats. Replace the affected areas with dry and warm towels or blankets.

Discourage skin to skin contact for rewarming as this can cause blistering. Do not pick any scabs or blisters as this will damage the skin worse.Gradually increase the individuals body temperature and monitor the individual for changes in behavior. If the skin does not appear to be improving, seek further medical attention.

Hypothermia

Our second cold related emergency to be prepared for this winter is Hypothermia. Hypothermia is an extremely dangerous drop in body temperature. It is also usually caused by an excessive exposure to cold temperatures, but it does not take long to slip into hypothermia.

 

The normal body temperature averages 98.6 degrees. In cases of hypothermia, the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees and in severe cases it can drop below 92 degrees.

 

What Causes Hypothermia?

During cold temperatures the body must work harder to maintain its normal body temperature (98.6 degrees). While exposed to cold temperatures, heat loss occurs, mainly through natural breathing (exhaling) and radiation (increases from exposed skin to moisture).

If you are exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period of time, larger amounts of heat loss is likely to occur. The organs that normally produce body heat begin to slow down and move into “shut down mode” as a defense mechanism to protect the brain. It is vital to understand how to recognize the signs and symptoms of Hypothermia before it’s too late. When hypothermia kicks in, it can quickly become deadly.

 

Symptoms of Hypothermia

  • Extreme Shivering
  • Confusion
  • Glassy stare
  • Heavy fatigue
  • Grey skin

These signs and symptoms will normally begin with the shivering of arms and legs. As blood rushes to the torso to protect target organs, the arms and legs are now left with minimal amounts of warm blood. Shivering is the body’s natural response. The muscles of the arms and legs begin to rapidly contract in effort to redirect blood back to these areas.

If shivering is stops and the person is still in the cold temperatures, check for other symptoms. The person might be confused and have a glassy stare. If other symptoms exist, the person may be entering into hypothermia.

Lastly, their skin may have a grey appearance and they may become extremely fatigued. The grey skin tone, could indicate a lack of blood flow and fatigue would also imply the person is burning large amounts of energy quickly.

 

How to treat Hypothermia?

Hypothermia can quickly accelerate and is a potentially life-threatening condition. If you suspect someone is suffering from this Cold Winter Emergency here are some steps to take for treating it.

  • Remove all wet clothes and replace with dry towels or blankets.
  • Refrain from putting on jackets, or other sweatshirts. Hypothermia can lead do unresponsiveness. Towels and blankets are easy to remove if the person becomes unresponsive.
  • Gradually warm the person. Refrain from placing the person in a hot shower or a hot tub. Rapid warming methods can send the person into shock. Instead, gradually warm the person with small heaters.
  • If symptoms continue for 15-20 minutes and are not getting better, call 911 or the designated number.
  • Continue to monitor the person’s signs and symptoms and be prepared to give CPR if you are trained.

 

How to avoid Frostbite and Hypothermia this Winter

The easiest way to prevent Frostbite and hypothermia is to avoid extended periods of cold temperature exposure. If you work outside or are exposed to cold temperatures for longer periods of time, here are some other tips to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

Layer Up

Checking the weather forecast the night before is the easiest way to stay prepared. Lay out your outfit the night before and don’t hesitate to break out the puffy jacket. It may lack on style, but it will keep you warm. We also recommend carrying a hat and gloves as we just learned ears, and fingers are vulnerable areas to frostbite.

 

Change your route

If you live in a city and walk to work, avoid the scenic route to the office this winter. Changing your route and taking the shorter 5-minute stroll could pay up big time and reduce the amount of heat loss you experience.

 

Pack Extra  

Making that long haul to see the in-laws? Packing an extra set of warm clothes, and a blanket in could be the difference of beating the cold if the car breaks down. Emergency car kits exist for longer hauls.

Here are a few places to go to find cold related emergency kits and safety items!

https://www.redcross.org/store/winter-auto-survival-kit/54894.html

 

https://warmers.com/collections/all

 

https://www.rei.com/c/emergency-blankets

 

 

RECAP

  • Frost bite is described as when tissue damage below the skin occurs from cold temperatures.
  • Hypothermia is described as a dangerous drop in overall body temperature.
  • Both cold related emergencies should be treated with gradual warming methods.
  • If conditions do not get better after 15-20 minutes for either emergency, seek advanced medical assistance and call 911 if needed.
  • The best ways to prevent these emergencies is to avoid the cold, and to have an emergency cold weather kit.

 

Was this helpful? Leave a comment and check out our other blog posts for more safety, first aid and health care tips. Go to b42l.com

Top 8 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Top 8 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Oct 29, 2018 | Health, Safety

Winter is coming! Aside from the Game of Throne’s tagline, yes, the winter months are upon us. Along with cold temperatures and snowfall that are present during winter months, an increase in vehicle incidents are statistically on the way as well.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, nearly 1,300 people are killed in vehicle crashes and more than 100,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes every year with road conditions that contain snow, slush, and icy pavement.

In the busy business world of today, it is imperative families, employees, and individuals can travel the roads safely. Just because there is snow on the ground, doesn’t mean vehicles incidents have to occur.

Here are the Top 8 Winter Driving Safety Tips that can reduce the likelihood you will be involved in a vehicle accident.

 

1.) Check the weather radar for snow

The first way to be prepared for driving during winter months and improve your winter driving safety is to check the weather radar the night before. Checking the radar not only allows you to plan for your trip the next day, but it gives you a live update on any storms that could be passing through your area. Keep in mind, weather patterns change, so it is important to check the weather radar several times throughout the day.

 

2.) Fix any maintenance issues

Have you been ignoring those lights on the dashboard telling you to service your vehicle? If so, you better plan on taking your vehicle in for service. Keeping your vehicle serviced during winter months gives you the assurance that your 2008 Toyota Camry is actually safe to drive even with heavy snow. Don’t ignore these warning lights. If you are in an area that statistically receives heavy amounts of snow fall, consider changing your tires for a winter recommend tire. Here are a few resources with tips on how to winterize your vehicle.:

Bridgestone

  https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/winter-snow-tires-vs-all-season-tires

Tire Rack.com

 https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirerack/desktop/en/winter_snow/packages.html

Good Year

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/category/snowK

3.) Inspect your vehicle daily

Conducting a quick inspection of your vehicle on a daily basis is one way to improve your winter driving safety. Allow the vehicle to warm up 15 minutes before you are set to leave and bust out that ice scraper. Dust off snow or ice that is on the windows, turning signals and on top of your vehicle. Walk 360 degree around your vehicle and look for any signs that it is mechanically unsafe to drive. Make sure to frequently check that your windshield wipers are in good condition and windshield wiper fluid levels are topped off. Test and verify the turning signals and 4-Way Hazard lights are working properly. If there are any lights that are not working, get it fixed immediately. This quick 5-10-minute check is worth it.

 

4.) Leave the house earlier

During winter months it is tempting to stay in your warm, cozy bed that extra 30 minutes, so you don’t have to face the reality of the blistering cold. This is a major Error Precursor. Road conditions in the winter months often makes it unsafe to drive the normal posted speed limits. If it normally takes you 20 minutes to get to work, leave your home an additional 20 minutes earlier. Running late to work contributes to drivers feeling the need to speed. Leaving early will allow you to avoid being late and improve your winter driving safety.

 

5.) Work from home

More and more companies allow the option to work from home to their employees. If you can work from home, avoid the trip to the office altogether. Working from home keeps more drivers off the road and reduces the number of vehicles that could potentially be involved in a vehicle incident.

 

6.) Utilize car trip services (Uber & Lyft)

Taking an Uber or Lyft may be a safer alternative than driving your own vehicle to the grocery store or to get takeout especially during winter months. The two trip service companies allow individuals to request a ride from almost anywhere. They also offer Programs such as Uber Eats, where drivers will pick up food up for you and deliver it for a small fee. Instead of going to get takeout food, have it delivered right to you! Be advised however, before getting in any car trip service, that the driver is ultimately in control of the vehicle. If you feel your car service driver is driving unsafely, request they slow down or pull over at a safe location.

 

7.) Minimize Distractions Behind the Wheel

If you can’t work from home, and requesting an uber to work is out of the question, minimizing distractions behind the wheel is one of the most proactive solutions to reducing vehicle incidents. Distractions can include: cell phones, radios, eating, drinking, passengers, pets, etc. Utilize Bluetooth audio ear pieces for hands free calling. Turn the radio off and wait until you get to work to drink your Dunkin coffee. If there are passengers in the vehicle with you, ensure everyone has their seat belt on, and is not distracting you with questions like: “Did you see the new Netflix series that was just released last night?”. The simple distracting conversation can wait.

 

8.) SLOW DOWN This Season

The easiest way to to improve your winter driving safety is to SLOW DOWN! Practice the 3-Second Rule and allow more space in between you and the vehicle in front of you Here is how to practice the 3-Second Rule. As you are driving pick an object that you will  pass (road sign, mile marker, structure, building etc). Count to 3 out loud. When the vehicle in front of you passes that object begin to count to 3 seconds. If you reach that same object in under 3 seconds, you are following to closely. Monitor road conditions and allow more space between you and other vehicles on less maintained roads. If there is excess snow, ice, or slush, increase the 3 seconds, to 5. When following larger vehicles such as tanker trucks, or eighteen wheeler’s it may be necessary to increase to 10 seconds. Braking on snow and ice takes longer. Give yourself more space and slow down.

 

Was this helpful? Leave a comment, and check out our other blog posts for more safety, first aid and health care tips. Go to b42l.com