CONSERVATION CORNER
Hypothermia And Frostbite
by James L. Cummins

As I am writing this column in early November with a temperature of 88°F and a relative humidity of 85%, it isn't real easy to get excited about frostbite! Seriously, we don't need to live up north to experience a health problem caused by cold weather. In this column, Dr. Bill McKell provides some very useful advice on hypothermia and frostbite.

According to Dr. McKell, "The symptoms of hypothermia (defined as a body temperature of less than 95°F) are nonspecific - altered mental status, slurred speech, impaired gait and unexplained lethargy are to name a few."

McKell states that shivering might be a valuable clue, but hypothermic individuals whose body temperature is lower than 90°F (most thermometers for human use don't register below than 94°F) may not shiver or even feel cold. The victim may appear corpse-like due to the pale color of his or her skin, lack of spontaneous motion and an imperceptible pulse.

He also states that people who appear lifeless after prolonged exposure to cold should not be considered dead until they have been evaluated by a physician, or until their body temperature is near normal and they remain unresponsive and without perceptible pulse and respiration.

McKell presently recommends the following approaches in the field: 1) Wet clothing should be removed and further heat loss prevented by the use of blankets, hot water bottles, heated rocks wrapped in clothing or radiant heat from another person. 2) Motion of the victim must be limited and any movement performed gently; catastrophe has occurred immediately after exertion or even passive movement, probably as a result of cold, acidotic blood moving from the periphery to the core. 3) Chest compressions (CPR) should not be initiated in the field if there is any detectable movement, pulse (check neck or groin rather than wrist), or cardiac rhythm. 4) Hot drinks, especially brandy and other alcoholic beverages, have been used for centuries to treat people suffering from cold; they may magnify further heat loss by promoting inappropriate dilatation of the superficial blood vessels, and therefore should be avoided.

The goal should be to get the victim evaluated in a hospital as soon as possible, for the potential of complications are many and some are potentially fatal.

McKell states that the mildest form of local cold injury is called frostnip. It causes stinging pain; this usually occurs on earlobes, nose, cheeks, fingers and toes.

The treatment of frostnip is re-warming. This can be done anywhere by simple methods such as putting hands under armpits, etc. To treat frostbite, first warm the core of the body and then treat the local area of concern. After the core temperature is close to normal, warming the frostbitten limb can be done in water, beginning at temperatures of 104°F to 110°F. It is important not to attempt to re-warm areas of frostbite in the field if there is any danger that they will refreeze. Hopefully, the victim will be en route by this time.

But most of all, wear warm clothing that is suitable for the occasion, stay dry, from outside moisture and perspiration, and have a safe outing in the outdoors.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.