Staying Warm in Winter Cold

Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that can happen after exposure to extremely cold temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1999 to 2011, a total of 16,911 deaths in the United States, an average of 1,301 per year, were associated with hypothermia.

Hypothermia is defined as abnormally low body temperature. When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can produce it. Lengthy exposures will gradually deplete the body’s stored energy, which results in lower body temperature.

A too-low body temperature affects the nervous system, heart, and other organs, making the person unable to think clearly or move well. Hypothermia is particularly dangerous because symptoms often start gradually, so a person may not realize what is happening and do anything about it. If left untreated, hypothermia can cause complete cardiac and respiratory failure and eventually death.

Although hypothermia is more common at cold temperatures, it can happen even above 40 degrees if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or immersion in cold water.

Remaining outdoors for long times doing activities like hunting or hiking can be risk factors, as can alcohol or drug use. Other conditions that can lead to hypothermia include not dressing warmly enough for weather conditions, being unable to get out of wet clothes, falling into water, or living in a house that is too cold. In addition, medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, inadequate nutrition, diabetes, stroke, severe arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, trauma, and spinal cord injuries can affect the body’s temperature regulation.

Most heat loss is due to heat radiated from unprotected body surfaces, direct contact with cold water or the cold ground, or wind that carries away the thin layer of warm air at the skin’s surface. Because water is very good at transferring heat from the body, body heat is lost much faster in cold water than in cold air.

Hypothermia warning signs include shivering, exhaustion or fatigue, confusion or memory loss, clumsiness or lack of coordination, slurred speech or mumbling, slow or shallow breathing, a weak pulse, and drowsiness or very low energy. In rare cases, people undress because they may feel like they are overheating due to a rush of warm blood to the extremities.

Normal body temperature is approximately 98.6 degrees. If you observe someone experiencing symptoms, take the person’s temperature, and if it is below 95 degrees, seek medical attention immediately. If you are unable to get medical help, try to warm up the person by moving them to a warm location, removing any wet clothing that the person is wearing, using an electric blanket or warm clothing to warm the center of the person’s body, providing warm nonalcoholic and noncaffeinated drinks, and keeping the person dry. Avoid any jarring movements, which can trigger irregular heartbeats. Do not rub or massage the person’s skin.

If the person is unconscious, does not seem to have a pulse, or does not appear to be breathing, handle the person gently and get emergency assistance immediately. Continue to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation even if the person appears dead until the person responds or medical help becomes available. According to the CDC, in some cases, victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.

To prevent hypothermia, monitor weather conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio will give information when wind chills reach critical thresholds. A wind chill warning is issued when wind chill temperatures are life-threatening. A wind chill advisory is issued when wind chill temperatures are potentially dangerous.

When in cold temperatures, wear a hat or other protective covering to prevent body heat from escaping your head, face, and neck. Wear mittens instead of gloves. Avoid activities that would cause you to sweat excessively because the combination of wet clothing and cold weather can make you lose body heat faster. Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight wool, silk, or polypropylene clothing with outer clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material for wind protection. Stay as dry as possible, and be especially careful to keep your hands and feet dry, as snow can get in mittens and boots.

When you travel during cold weather, make sure someone knows your destination and expected arrival time; if you have problems along the way, emergency responders will know where to look for your vehicle. You should also carry a cell phone and emergency supplies such as blankets, matches, candles, a clean can for melting snow into drinking water, a first-aid kit, dry or canned food, a can opener, tow rope, booster cables, compass, and a bag of sand or kitty litter to spread for traction.

If you plan to ride in a watercraft, wear a life jacket, which can enable you to float without using energy and provide some insulation; keep a whistle attached to signal for help. If you fall into the water, climb onto the capsized boat or grab a floating object. Only try to swim if a boat, another person, or a life jacket is nearby because it will expend energy. Hold your knees to your chest to protect your body’s trunk; if you are wearing a life jacket that turns you face down, bring your legs tightly together, your arms to your sides, and your head back. If you are with others, face each other in a tight circle. Do not remove clothing in the water because it helps to insulate you.