How to prevent hypothermia?

January 22, 2015  12:38

Hypothemia is a condition in which body's core temperature drops below 35,5 ◦C. When our body temperature drops, our senses are affected significantly. As a result, people become very disoriented, other develop hallucinations. These conditions cause atypical behavior, and people's judgment and ability to take care of themselves are exacerbated.

In case of long hypothermia, our heart rate becomes irregular, and without medical intervention, it may become a reason for death. Of course, it takes time for it, and our brain tries to slow the cooling effects with involuntary muscle contractions that manufacture heat.

However, some preventative measures can help not only avoid hypothermia, but also save people's life.

Some people think, hypothermia is caused only by extremely frigid temperatures. But wetness and wind also contribute to it. It could be a sunny day, but if you get exposed to all these conditions at the same time for a long time, you might just get hypothermia.

Some simple rules are to be followed for this.

• Dress properly for the weather and not forget about a hat, coat, gloves. In case of extreme cold use a face mask

• Keep dry

• Limit your time outdoors in very frigid temperatures

• Avoid alcohol

• When hiking, camping, skiing or otherwise spending time outdoors in cold temperatures, always have a partner with you, and always carry a cell phone, walkie-talkie, or some other means that will enable you to call or signal for help.

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