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Hypothermia Management in the Wilderness
Aka: Hypothermia Management in the Wilderness, Prevention of Cold Weather Injury
- See Also
- Hypothermia
- Hypothermia Causes
- Rewarming in Hypothermia
- Hypothermia Management
- Frostbite
- Immersion Foot (Trench Foot)
- Pernio (Chilblains)
- Emergency Car Kit
- Management: Methods of rewarming in wilderness
- General
- Move the patient to warm, dry environment
- Remove wet clothing
- Avoid excessive movement (risk of Arrhythmia)
- Passive external rewarming
- Warm dry blanket
- Hot water bottle
- Wrapped hot rocks
- Warm next to another body
- Active External Rewarming
- Radiant heat source
- Heat pads
- Immersion
- Active core rewarming
- Heated airway inhalation
- Heated IV fluids
- Gastrointestinal irrigation
- Peritoneal Dialysis
- Extracorporeal rewarming
- Diathermy
- Management: Wilderness
- Mild Hypothermia
- Prevent further heat loss
- Remove wet clothing
- Move to warm environment
- Oral rehydration
- Severe Hypothermia
- Evacuation
- Gentle handling
- ABC Management and Cardiac monitor
- Prevention: Wilderness
- See Emergency Car Kit
- Plan the activity
- Appropriate clothing (with back up items)
- Dress in layers
- Avoid cotton
- Base layer of polypropylene or polyester (long underwear)
- Middle layer of wool or fleece
- Outer layer of shell that repels water but is breathable (e.g. gortex)
- Loose clothing and boots promote greater circulation
- Wear a hat
- Wear mittens (preferred over gloves)
- Wear extra socks (e.g. liner and wool sock) with a boot sized to accomodate the additional bulk
- Change socks daily or when wet
- Appropriate Food and Fluids
- Drink fluids to maintain hydration
- Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
- Adequate diet to maintain nutrition
- Other measures
- Use Supplemental Oxygen at very high altitude (7500 meters or above 24,000 feet)
- References
- Rathjen (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(11): 680-6 [PubMed]