Monday, January 1, 2018

COLD FACTS: Wind Chills, Frostbite and Hypothermia (which can be fatal)



For at least the next week, the Eastern and Central U.S. will continue to see DANGEROUS cold, Arctic temperatures with wind chills near or Below Zero. 
TIPS  - Don’t stay out long. Frostbite occurs on exposed skin in 30 minutes under these temperatures. Hypothermia can be fatal. 
*Dress in Layers. *Do NOT Exercise outdoors. 
*Do NOT Leave pets outside or walk them- take pets out quickly, or use indoor pee pads. 
Here are the facts:

WHAT IS WIND CHILL - The windchill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside. Windchill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much colder. If the temperature is 0°F and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the windchill is -19°F. At this windchill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.
Frostbite on fingers


FROSTBITE OCCURS – Within 30 minutes during these Arctic Outbreak temperatures the Eastern and Central U.S. is currently experiencing.
For example, A  temperature of 0°F and a wind speed of 15 mph creates a wind chill temperature of -19°F. Under these conditions frost bite can occur in just 30 minutes. ... Extremely cold temperature can also cause hypothermia, when the body's temperature dips below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

WHAT DOES FROSTBITE DO? You have frostbite when your body tissue freezes. The most susceptible parts of the body are fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. Symptoms include a loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance. Get medical attention immediately for frostbite. The area should be SLOWLY rewarmed using warm, not hot water.

WHAT DOES FROSTBITE LOOK LIKE? * This website has very disturbing pictures of what Frostbite looks like to feet and hands: http://www.theprepperjournal.com/2014/12/02/prevent-identify-treat-frostbite/
 
WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

  • Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 95°F. Determine your temperature with a thermometer.
  • Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and exhaustion.
  • Get medical attention immediately. If you can't get help quickly, begin warming the body SLOWLY. Warm the body core first, NOT the extremities. Warming extremities first drives the cold blood to the heart and can cause the body temperature to drop further--which may lead to heart failure.
  • If you are helping someone else with hypothermia, get the person into dry clothing and wrap in a warm blanket. Be sure to cover the head and neck.
  • Do not give the person alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any HOT beverage or food. WARM broth and food is better.
  • About 20% of cold related deaths occur in the home. Young children under the age of two and the elderly (those more than 65 years old), are most susceptible to hypothermia.
  • Hypothermia can set in over a period of time. Keep the thermostat above 69°F, wear warm clothing, eat food for warmth, and drink plenty of water or fluids other than alcohol and caffeine to keep hydrated.
  • Avoid alcohol because it will LOWER your body temperature.


 FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/cold/faqs.shtml

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I'm a simple guy who enjoys the simple things in life, especially our dogs. I volunteer for dog rescues, enjoy exercising, blogging, politics, helping friends and neighbors, participating in ghost investigations, coffee, weather, superheroes, comic books, mystery novels, traveling, 70s and 80s music, classic country music,writing books on ghosts and spirits, cooking simply and keeping in shape. You'll find tidbits of all of these things on this blog and more. EMAIL me at Rgutro@gmail.com - Rob

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