Dangers of winter weather

Winter brings with it a list of challenges. Some are inconvenient, such as shorter days and a drop in temperatures. Other challenges can be quite dangerous to people and animals, especially if the dangers are not easily recognizable. Among those dangers are windchill, hypothermia, and frostbite.

Living in a more or less temperate zone that isn’t known for brutal winters, residents of our region might not easily recognize the signs and symptoms of these dangers, especially if we spend a great deal of time outdoors. We might realize that the wind is blowing harder or that the temperature has dropped, but we might not truly be aware of how drastic those changes are.

Windchill is a danger when cold wind touches exposed skin. It is based upon the rate at which the body loses heat as a result of high wind and low temperature. And given that most people who are out in the elements are exerting themselves, they might not even realize that the rate of heat loss has dramatically increased. But windchill causes the temperature of the skin to drop, and can lead to frostbite quicker than we might think.

Windchill is calculated starting when the temperature is 50 degrees or below, and the speed of wind is 3 mph or greater. The National Weather Service has a calculator for windchill and related risks on their website. The risk of frostbite begins when windchill is rated at -15 degrees or lower, which can cause exposed skin to freeze in 30 minutes. At -32 degrees, that freezing can occur in just 10 minutes.

To combat windchill, it is recommended multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing be worn. These layers should be lightweight and warm to trap air, keeping the body’s warmth close to the skin. All skin should be covered, including ears, nose, fingers, and toes because extremities are more susceptible to frostbite. Anyone who needs to be out in excessive windchill should also take great care to stay dry because wet clothing causes faster heat loss.

Also, overuse of alcohol or caffeine is not recommended. Both of these, but especially alcohol, can give a person a false sense of warmth. We might feel warm, but the skin still reacts to windchill – and frostbite – regardless of what we might consciously be experiencing.

If the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, the result can be hypothermia. Hypothermia is when the core temperature of the human body drops below 95 degrees. This is brought on by exposure to cold or wet clothes in cold temperatures, and will require immediate medical attention. The symptoms range from shivering to confusion, and eventually unconsciousness. Hypothermia sufferers are typically treated by a process of slow warming.

Hypothermia can be caused by exposure to cold temperatures or cold water, poorly heated indoor environments in the case of older individuals, or a lack of the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

Mild symptoms include shivering, cold hands and feet, slurred speech, and confusion. Moderate symptoms include a cessation of shivering, drowsiness, and loss of coordination. Severe symptoms include unconsciousness, weak pulse, and slow shallow breathing. These are not a complete list of symptoms, and the best course of action if you suspect that you or someone you know might have hypothermia is to seek medical attention.

Immediate steps that can be taken are to move to a warm and dry shelter, remove any wet clothing and cover in warm blankets, and drink warm non-alcoholic liquids. The use of heating pads or hot baths are not recommended because the warming should be slow.

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com