Hypothermia and Cold Emergencies: Understanding Signs and Symptoms

[livingston]

Hypothermia and Cold Emergencies: Understanding Signs and Symptoms​

Hypothermia is a potentially dangerous drop in body temperature. If the temperature drops too low it is a medical emergency. Emergency medicine specialist Dr. Chris Colwell explains the risk factors and the signs and symptoms of hypothermia so that it can be managed as soon as possible. Recorded on 04/26/2017. Series: "UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine presents Mini Medical School for the Public" [9/2017] [Show ID: 32414]

From the comments section

@ellie698​

2 years ago
This guy really knows his stuff. When you listen to people like him trying to resuscitate people, it makes you realise how much of a lottery it is of you end up in an emergency room. You just have to hope the person you see there is experienced enough to do the right things. A lot of that will be down to sheer luck.

 

[FP1201]

it's easier to suffer and DIE from hypothermia than most realize...most never really realize they have it and then it will be too late

 

[spat]

it's easier to suffer and DIE from hypothermia than most realize...most never really realize they have it and then it will be too late

If you are cold, and start to feel sleepy, *do not* go to sleep until you fix the cold problem....

It's like CO poisoning. You don't feel sick, just sleepy....

 

[JaguarJaguarGolf]

Hypothermia can occur at much lower temperatures than people think are dangerous.

One of the largest mass casualty events was a road race in the UK when thousands of runners got wet and then hypothermic on a moderate temperature day.

They used to call it "dying of exposure".

People talk about the one thing they want in a survival situation. For many years, through personal experience, I advocate for a wool Army blanket. If you don't make it through the first night because you are cold, nothing else matters.
(Second on my list is a long handled shovel)

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I'm toast. Im not cold tolerant at all. Hate the cold And cold hates me. I always have to wear winter jackets and winter hats and gloves if it's cold.

I don't love the heat, but I hate the cold. I really hate damp cold. Dry cold like 30 and sun is ok it's not that bad. But cold and damp is bone aching misery, and yet I choose to spend many hours in hockey rinks. I have self destructive tendencies

 

[livingston]

How to Survive Hypothermia like a Navy SEAL (Eastmans' and Sitka Gear)​

 

[Deplorable Me]

I'm toast. Im not cold tolerant at all. Hate the cold And cold hates me. I always have to wear winter jackets and winter hats and gloves if it's cold.

I don't love the heat, but I hate the cold. I really hate damp cold. Dry cold like 30 and sun is ok it's not that bad. But cold and damp is bone aching misery, and yet I choose to spend many hours in hockey rinks. I have self destructive tendencies

It's one thing to be cold, another to be hypothermic. I've been cold camping and outside cold for hours, no problem. Multiple layers of cold weather clothing. The one time I did experience possibly hypothermia I was outside at a job site and underdressed for a mild-cold day, taken totally by surprise. I recognized symptoms and bailed to my truck.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

It's one thing to be cold, another to be hypothermic. I've been cold camping and outside cold for hours, no problem. Multiple layers of cold weather clothing. The one time I did experience possibly hypothermia I was outside at a job site and underdressed for a mild-cold day, taken totally by surprise. I recognized symptoms and bailed to my truck.

Oh no, totally agree. I've spent a fair amount of time outside in winter and cold activities. If you dress for it you might be cold but won't typically get hypothermic. It's when you are not dressed for the elements you can get yourself in trouble.

Long story, but in my younger days one of the few times I got stupid cold and started feeling hypothermic was when I was in England and it was maybe 35-40 degrees and damp at night. Left a bar only wearing a T-shirt and shorts and got lost. Was wandering around for an hour or so and genuinely started getting symptoms of hypothermia. Ugh....