Five minute medic: Hypothermia
Post categories: five minute medic
| 19:34 UK time, Monday, 9 November 2009
Would you know how to help someone whose body temperature was dangerously low?
Hypothermia is usually something you'd associate with walkers or mountaineers but elderly people can be particularly vulnerable if they are inactive and don't heat their homes properly.
Hypothermia strikes when the body's temperature falls below 35 degrees. In our film, pensioner Marjorie Evans had been economising on her heating, unaware that, over time, the cold would drive her body into shut down.
We asked the people of Newtown what they would do if they found someone suffering from hypothermia.
Several people suggested wrapping her in a blanket while others thought giving her a cup of tea or a whisky or brandy would help.
Using a hot water bottle was another solution given, along with hugging the person, putting a hat or socks on her or getting her to walk about to get her blood moving.
It was time for some expert advice from Wales Air Ambulance paramedic David Jones.
David said that they most commonly encounter hypothermia in connection with elderly people who have turned their heating down and over several days become cold.
Other scenarios included elderly people who had fallen over in the evening and, rather than disturb anyone, waited on the floor all night and became very cold by the following morning.
Signs of hypothermia include pale skin - because this is part of the body's reaction to draw blood to the core to protect the internal organs, and shivering.
As the person gets colder, symptoms can be similar to intoxication such as being unsteady on their feet, confused and irrational behaviour.
David's top tips for helping someone with hypothermia are:
- Get the person into shelter if they're outdoors. If they're indoors, get some blankets and towels and extra clothing to prevent further heat loss.
- Give the person a hot drink to help them warm gradually from the inside. You could also use high energy food such as chocolate to gets the metabolic system working and create inner heat.
- Don't give the person alcohol as this will dilate their blood vessels and make their condition worse.
- Never try to heat the casualty quickly with a hot water bottle or bath as this can potentially cause a heart attack.
- Don't rub them all over vigorously to warm them up.
- Don't use a hot water bottle as you need to avoid drawing blood from the inner core out and instead heat them gently.
Prevention is the best defence so make sure you and elderly neighbours stay warm and safe this winter.
