Frostbite
What is frostbite?
The freezing of body tissues due to prolonged exposure to cold.
Name one symptom of hypothermia.
Shivering, clumsiness, slurred speech, confusion, drowsiness, lack of concern for self, weak pulse, shallow breathing
What is the purpose of a quinzee?
Winter shelter - protect you from the elements.
What are the names of the 3 layers?
Wicking/base layer
Insulating
Outer layer/shell
How can you prevent losing heat through conduction?
Providing some insulation between the cold surface and your body.
Name 2 symptoms of frostbite.
- Skin changes colour - red, gray, white, blue, yellow
- Skin turns tough or waxy looking
- Cool skin and tingling feeling
- Shivering
- Numbness
- Muscle and joint stiffness
- Blistering after rewarming
What is the deadly triad that can lead to hypothermia?
Cold
Wet
What is the purpose of the sticks that you place in the quinzee?
They are a guide so that you know how much of your quinzee to dig out.
What material is the death fabric?
Cotton
How do you prevent radiation heat loss?
Proper clothing (layering).
Name 3 treatments of frostbite.
- Protect skin from further exposure.
- Get out of the elements.
- Take pain medication.
- Warm water.
- Never rub area.
Name 2 ways to treat hypothermia.
- Get out of the elements
- Replace wet clothing with dry clothing.
- Layer with anything available.
- Insulate from the ground.
- Share body heat.
- Drink warm beverages.
How is a quinzee different from an igloo?
The building process - piling snow vs. cutting blocks of snow.
What is the purpose of the outer/shell layer?
Provides protection from wind and rain/snow.
Should be waterproof and breathable (allows excess body heat to escape).
How do you prevent heat loss from convection?
Wearing wind-proof clothing and being sheltered from the wind.
What are the 3 stages of frostbite?
Frostnip
Superficial frostbite
Severe/Deep frostbite
Name one way our body responds to hypothermia (compensation mechanism).
Heat Production (shivering)
Heat Retention (vasoconstriction of blood vessels)
Shell/ Core Effect (diverting blood from extremities to vital/core organs)
How many vents should you have? What angle should they be on, and what is their purpose?
Two vents
45 degree angle
Air ciruclation
What 2 properties do you want the outer layer/shell to have?
Waterproof and breathable.
Pick one of the 5 ways of exposure and explain how heat is lost.
Respiration, evaporation, convection, conduction, radiation
What's the difference between the 3 stages of frostbite?
Frostnip - skin turns pale/red & feels extremely cold. May experience tingling and numbness. Re-warming may be painful, but no permanent damage.
Superficial - red skin may turn white/pale and may start to freeze. Re-warming may cause skin to be blueish and feel burning/tingling. Blisters may form on skin during this stage.
Severe/Deep - All layers of skin freeze. Inability to use the affected body parts and skin may turn black as tissue dies.
What does vasoconstriction mean?
Narrowing of the blood vessels.
What is the name of the process of snowflakes bonding together (happens over time)?
Sintering
What is an example material for the insulating layer?
Quick dry material Eg. Polypropylene, DryFit, CoolMax, Merino Wool
What are the 5 ways that heat can be lost by exposure?
Respiration, radiation, evaporation, convection, conduction