How to Survive Hypothermia
13 comments
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia, in short, is when the bodies temperature dramatically drops to a dangerously low level. Usually, hypothermia occurs during the winter months where there is snow. However, if you're out hiking and get wet without changing into dry clothes before temperatures drop, you can still be at risk... Check out this infographic that gives some very helpful and insightful tips on how to survive hypothermia.
10 years ago
Comments
10 years ago at 9:59 AM
Paradoxical Undressing? I've never heard that term. I was taught that clothing puts a barrier between you and the sleeping bag and it prevent you from getting the full benefit of your own bodies heat. If this thinking has changed I'd sure like to know about it!
6 years ago at 12:50 PM
Paradoxical undressing refers to the condition in hypothermia where people undress as the condition progresses. It is believed that the person gets confused and feel too hot instead of too cold.
6 years ago at 12:56 PM
Usually the more layers of clothing the better. Some clothes don’t allow moisture to dissipate and would be best to not wear.
5 years ago at 11:54 AM
During hypothermia, the blood vessels in the extremities constrict to direct blood to the body’s core. This requires a steady source of energy. When fatigue sets in, blood vessels dilate and the warm blood in the body’s core rushes to the extremities, creating a sensation of overheating. This is generally the point of no return. The body cools down quickly at this point.
5 years ago at 11:55 AM
During hypothermia, the blood vessels in the extremities constrict to direct blood to the body’s core. This requires a steady source of energy. When fatigue sets in, blood vessels dilate and the warm blood in the body’s core rushes to the extremities, creating a sensation of overheating. This is generally the point of no return. The body cools down quickly at this point.
5 years ago at 11:56 AM
During hypothermia, the blood vessels in the extremities constrict to direct blood to the body’s core. This requires a steady source of energy. When fatigue sets in, blood vessels dilate and the warm blood in the body’s core rushes to the extremities, creating a sensation of overheating. This is generally the point of no return. The body cools down quickly at this point.
5 years ago at 4:29 PM
The paradoxical undressing refers to strange behavior that happens when you are in a serious state of hypothermia. Generally before people freeze to death they report being so hot they literally start to undress. They are generally found dead and naked.
10 years ago at 10:01 AM
Be prepared BEFORE you go out, even in your car. Keep yourself and others calm while you use whatever time you have to cover (with ANYTHING handy) and cuddle before dark.
10 years ago at 11:03 AM
Should not have wet clothes on when getting into a sleeping bag for the night, you should try to wear dry clothing only.
10 years ago at 11:41 AM
My understanding of Paradoxical Undressing is that in late stage hypothermia (point of no return) is that the temperature control mechanism (hypothalamus) malfunctions and the victim has the perception of being overheated, thus removing clothing and actually speeding heat loss form the body. Wikipedia has some good information on this.
10 years ago at 11:27 PM
When hiking on the Appalachian Trail with some Boy Scouts, we all got soaked to the skin in unexpected rain storm. One Scout started shivering violently. Starting a fire would have taken a long time because everything was soaked. We had the Scout ale off his soaked t-shirt and another leader and I did the same. We used our body heat to warm him up and sent two of our oldest most experienced boys to get help from the rest of our group. By the time they got back our scout had stopped shivering and we had started hiking to meet up with the rest of our troop and got some warm soup and dry clothes. Another person or two can help recover lost body heat.