At any rate, I *strongly* suspect that I have Ms. Whitaker to thank for this post.
I found the fodder littered on my classroom floor. It's about Antarctica. And hypothermia. And how to be prepared.
I do not want to report to you all the grizzly details of hypothermia. Suffice it to say that if you start to have to exercise to keep warm, start eating. Or something like that. Apparently, in Antarctica, most of the food people eat goes directly to the purpose of keeping their body temperature stable. Foods taken along on the mysterious trans-antarctic expedition to which the article refers are dried potatoes, oatmeal, popcorn, salmon, sardines, wild rice, pasta, cheese, dried milk, sunflower seeds and tea.
The layers of clothing the expeditioners wear are: thermal underwear, jacket and pants, and finally an easily removable outer layer.
Their sleeping bags are made of special waterproof, double-layered materials.
The story states that, "hypothermia can be prevented through proper food and liquids, proper clothing, and proper shelter." Lack of these basics, combined with overextending yourself and not being aware (the article says, "an irresponsible attitude") can be blamed for causing hypothermia.
Then, it goes on to tell us what to do if someone gets hypothermia:
1. Get the person out of the cold.
2. Replace wet clothes with warm, dry ones.
3. Have the person exercise if they can.
4. If the victim is unconscious, try to wake them and make them drink warm fluids.
Finally, a handy acronym is offered for your help preventing hypothermia. As follows:
C- keep your clothes CLEAN
O- avoid OVERHEATING (sweating)
L- wear clothes LAYERED and LOOSE
D- keep clothing DRY (wear wool!)
Thank you very much, Ms. Whitaker.
Q: Why on Earth think about Antarctica at a time like this, when at any moment zombies could come pounding on the door?
A: We all know that you don't have to go to Antarctica to suffer from hypothermia.
I'll contribute the hyperlinks. ;)
Here's one for the Moon-Reagan expedition.
And another about Felicity Aston.
That is much needed info in The Region right now since the temperature has dropped 50 degrees in less that 48 hours. Im dressed warm, the bed had a wonderful down comforter, so maybe its time for food. Mmmmm, food.
ReplyDeleteWould you get home asap and help me write these speeches?!
I always think of hypothermia. Thinking in advance of what to do if? Problem is, usually people get hypothermia due to extreme, unexpected circumstances and stupidity from not being cautious of the weather. Like let's say we're hiking for The Day, and a freak snow storm hits and we are moderately but not adequately dressed and we have food enough for The Day, no change of clothes, not enough shelter, etc. If we're supposed to eat to keep warm our exposure time is proportional to what we thought we needed for The Day. At night it gets colder. We should assume we may now be lost or unable to walk, trying to hurry to a destination we are not completely sure of, therefore sweating, and getting colder. The faster we go the more energy we use, the sweatier we get, the more food (and water we need) and we cannot drink snow unless maybe we melt it in our frozen hands or in plastic vessel over an imaginary fire.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe we're on Lake shore drive in a snow storm in our cars and running out of gas... bummer.
Then there's the story about the mother and her kids left in a stuck car while the dad goes to find help (and never returns) and to stay warm the mother burns the tires for heat.. smart but smelly.
I saw a woman on a train once. She had extreme hikers gear on and a rather important looking trekkers back pack. She looked exhausted and windblown. Also, on her cheek was a spot of missing fresh flesh. The spot looked as if her flesh was eating it self. I was sure it was frostbit. I spent the rest of the train ride imagining what she had been through.
I get cold when the weather drops below 60.