Cold Exposure

Damage of organism

§  Local – frostbites

§  General – hypothermia

Frostbites

§  they are caused by very cool environs on exposed part of the body (mostly fingers, nose, chin,
ears) or by touch of very cool object

§  liquid nitrogen, ice directly on skin







Frostbites

§  affected tissues are firstly pale, waxy white, blue spots could proceed stage by stage, they get
black, could be blisters



§  firstly ador and stinging pain, then loss of sensibility, white numb skin

Frostbites

First aid – in the field

§   replace clothing

§   hot liquids to drink

§   warm with body heat (don´t rub)

Frostbites

Frostbites

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Hypothermia

§   is caused by very cool environs on organism; wind makes the effect much greater!!!

§   general hypothermia of organism

§    gradual fall of physical temperature leads to slow down of vital signs, then to death









Hypothermia

Stages:



§  firstly casualty has shivering fit, clammy, pale, dry skin

§  then shivering fit ends, inadequate behaviour starts, slow, apathic …     unconsciousness

§  Final stage: slowmotion of pulse rate and breathing… cardiac arrest

Hypothermia

Hypothermia

§   Due to consciousness level give to casualty hot liquid, hot chocolate…

§   care about heat comfort – isolate from the ground + cover the casualty

§   if it beginns – inadequate, slow, apathic behaviour – don´t move with casualty

§   dialling of EMS 155

§   check on vital signs