PLC Logger's Voice Winter 2019

Ted Clark, CLCS, Loss Control Consultant, Acadia Insurance
Quarterly Safety Meeting: Hypothermia Recognition & Prevention
During this safety meeting we will discuss the
symptoms of hypothermia and how to provide first aid to
someone beginning to show signs of becoming
hypothermic. We will also discuss some simple steps that
you can take to avoid hypothermia.
*ASK: What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a medical condition that is often
associated with being outside in cold and/or wet weather
conditions. It occurs when the body loses heat faster than it
is able to generate heat and is unable to maintain core
temperature. Because of the dropping temperature, the
heart, organs and respiratory system cannot function
normally and, if not treated quickly, can lead to death.
*ASK: What are the Symptoms of
Hypothermia?
There is a range of symptoms associated with
hypothermia. It is important to recognize that the person
experiencing the emergency may not always be aware of
the problem, because the symptoms generally begin
gradually.
Typically, the first symptom is shivering, often
uncontrollably, because this is how your body tries to raise
its core temperature.
Other symptoms of hypothermia include:
Bright red/cold skin
Shallow, slow breathing
Slurred speech or mumbling
Weak pulse
Lack of coordination
Low energy or fatigue
Memory loss/confusion
Loss of consciousness
When you notice these symptoms on a person, it is
critical to begin medical treatment immediately. Don’t wait
to finish your job or to see if the person’s condition may
improve on its own. Immediate treatment may reverse the
progression and save the person’s life.
First-Aid
First aid for someone experiencing hypothermia is
relatively straight forward and is covered during your first
aid certification class. Below is a refresher on the steps that
you should take if you, or someone you are with, is
experiencing the symptoms of hypothermia:
Call 9-1-1 after checking the person’s condition
and level of responsiveness.
Get the person to a warm, dry environment such as
a vehicle or building. If you are unable to get the person
inside, do your best to shield them from the wind and the
cold. Space blankets are a great tool that fit inside a first aid
kit and can help you provide the patient with some warmth.
Remove wet clothing, especially cotton! Your body
loses heat at an alarming rate when the clothing is wet.
Cover the person with blankets or warm clothing.
Be gentle and don’t massage the cold areas.
Sudden movements can cause a hypothermic person to go
into cardiac arrest.
Provide warm, not hot, beverages. Do not provide
the person with caffeinated or alcoholic drinks as they can
cause the condition to worsen.
Do not provide
direct heat but, if help is
a long ways away, you
can use active rewarming
such as a warm compress
or a warm thermos.
Warmth should ONLY
be applied to the chest or
neck area. DO NOT
place heat on the arms or
legs as this could be fatal.
Also, do not soak the
person with a warm
liquid.
It’s important to remember that the person’s body
has lost its ability to warm itself so, unless treatment of the
symptoms begin immediately, their condition will likely
continue to worsen.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of
Cure
Preventing hypothermia is relatively simple. The
Mayo Clinic uses the acronym, “COLD” – Cover,
Overexertion, Layers, Dry.
COVER- With the rest of your body covered in
clothing, you can lose an enormous amount of heat through
your head and your hands. Therefore, it is critical to keep
your head and face covered with an appropriate hat and
keep your hands covered with dry, insulated gloves, or
mittens if it is extremely cold.
OVEREXERTION – Sweating when it’s cold out
can be deadly. We have all heard stories of someone
Hypothermia Continued Page 27
*Meeting sign-in sheet on the back! Cut along dotted line to left to detach this section. 25