Hypothermia

1. Hypothermia

2. We Will Cover • What is Hypothermia • How the body is affected by the cold • The unprotected swimmer • Our body's own insulation • Symptoms of Hypothermia • Treatment • Prevention • Summary

3. What is Hypothermia? • Body core temperature drops below 37°C • Water has 25 times greater heat conduction than air • Water requires 1,000 times more energy to heat than air • Diving in any of the world’s seas can reduce diver’s core body temperature

4. How does it affect the body? • Hypothalamus • Located in the brain • Body’s temperature control regulator • Increased secretion of urine • Goose pimples • Vasoconstriction • Metabolism increased • Shivering

5. Survival expectancy related to water temperature without Insulation Time in water (hours) Water temp (°C) Cold, Wet, Wind, Fatigue = Killer/ Hypothermia

6. Body Fats Protect! • Areas of greatest heat loss are... • Head • Neck • Sides • Groin • Women survive longer than men in cold water

7. Clinical Features • Blue pallor, numbness = 36.5°C • Violent shivering = 36°C • Confusion, poor decision making, uncontrollable shivering = 35°C • Clumsy, loss of co-ordination and dexterity = 34°C • Shivering ceases - Muscles SpasmsLoses use of arms and legs = 33°C

8. Clinical Features • Victim appears drunk or drugged = 32°C • Loss of Consciousness = 30°C • Cessation of Heartbeat & Breathing which leads to death = 28°C

9. Treatment • Remove the victim from cold water and dress them in dry clothing (if available) • Keep victim in “Huddle” position • Rewarm with survival bag or by body heat of others • Give warm drinks if available (soup) • Never Give Alcohol

10. Treatment • Severe Cases: Rewarm in (42ºC) bath under medical supervision • C.P.R. if necessary • Reheating is complete when victim starts to sweat

11. Prevention • Wear good insulating garments (diving suits, headgear and windcheaters) • Reduce exercise in water to conserve strength and reduce heat loss • Acclimatisation to cold over long periods

12. Summary • What is Hypothermia • How the body is affected by the cold • The unprotected swimmer • Our body's own insulation • Symptoms of Hypothermia • Treatment • Prevention

13. Questions

14. What is hypothermia ? • Higher than normal body temp • Normal body temp • Lower than normal body temp

15. What is hypothermia ? • Higher than normal body temp • Normal body temp • Lower than normal body temp

16. What is the normal body core temp? • 36°C • 37°C • 38°C

17. What is the normal body core temp? • 36°C • 37°C • 38°C

18. Where in the body is the hypothalamus located? • Finger Tips • Brain • Behind the Maxillary sinus

19. Where in the body is the hypothalamus located? • Finger Tips • Brain • Behind the Maxillary sinus

20. What combination could to lead to hypothermia? • Cold, wet, wind, fatigue = Hypothermia • Wet, cold, breeze, fatigue = Hypothermia • Wet, mild, wind, fatigue = Hypothermia • All of the above

21. What combination could to lead to hypothermia? • Cold, wet, wind, fatigue = Hypothermia • Wet, cold, breeze, fatigue = Hypothermia • Wet, mild, wind, fatigue = Hypothermia • All of the above

22. Does subcutaneous fat • Help the body against the cold • Create goose pimples • Turn the hands blue when cold

23. Does subcutaneous fat • Help the body against the cold • Create goose pimples • Turn the hands blue when cold

24. In severe cases where the victim had to be immersed in a bath of warm water, how warm should the water be? • 37°C • 40°C • 42°C

25. In severe cases where the victim had to be immersed in a bath of warm water, how warm should the water be? • 37°C • 40°C • 42°C

26. When is heating complete? • After a long warm sleep • After a nice bowl of hot soup • When the victim starts to sweat

27. When is heating complete? • After a long warm sleep • After a nice bowl of hot soup • When the victim starts to sweat