Let’s talk cold weather riding. It’s important to understand your body’s physical limits when it comes to cold weather. Preparing for a winter ride includes protecting your skin from exposure, making sure you are hydrated, and eating a healthy meal so that your body has calories to burn to help keep you warm. Limit the time you are out, and avoid contact with the water.
Know the three main stages of hypothermia and stay aware of your body so you can get in out of the cold before you end up in trouble. You may only have minutes to self-rescue so knowledge and prevention are key. Hypothermia is a physical condition that occurs when the body's core temperature falls below a normal 98.6° F (37° C) to 95° F (35° C) or cooler.
The signs and symptoms of the three different stages of hypothermia are:
First stage: shivering, reduced circulation;
Second stage: slow, weak pulse, slowed breathing, lack of co-ordination, irritability, confusion and sleepy behaviour;
Advanced stage: slow, weak or absent respiration and pulse.
For every 10 degree drop in temperature, your survival time drops by approximately one
hour (based on an average sized human lightly dressed in 50 degree air temperature). The chart below illustrates the approximate time before symptoms set in as various water temperatures.
(Chart source: www.seagrant.unm.edu)
What to Do If you Fall Off into Cold Water
Remember that wind chill becomes a significant factor if you fall off, remount your ski and attempt to return to shore and may shorten the timeframe before symptoms become severe. It is a good practice to pack a dry bag with a complete change of clothes and swiftly go to the nearest shoreline to change out of soaked clothing if you happen to part ways with your personal watercraft. Carry a thermos of hot liquid with you, and sip it continuously to help keep your core warm.
Assuming no professional rescuer is available, the following are guidelines for hypothermia recovery:
Mild Symptoms (Body Temp between 97 and 93 degrees), shivering, alert and able to speak, pain from cold, extremities numb/tingling/red in color.
Prevent further heat loss
Allow body to rewarm itself
Help victim exercise (gentle walking/jumping/running in place)
Consume hot, sweet drinks (no alcohol)
Keep victim covered (head and body) for several hours
Moderate Symptoms (Body Temp between 92 and 90 degrees) shivering may decrease or stop, slow or weak breathing, irritability, mild confusion or sleepiness.
As above BUT NO EXERCISE
Offer warm, sweet liquids ONLY if victim is conscious, starts to rewarm, and has no difficulty swallowing.
Severe Symptoms (Body Temp between 90 and 82 degrees), shivering stops, marked confusion, slow weak pulse, slow breathing, slurred speech, muscles start to become rigid.
Call for emergency medical help
Avoid jarring the victim (may cause cardiac arrest or irregular heartbeat).
No food or drink
Treat as for shock
Apply gentle heat to head, neck, chest, and groin. Prevent sharp rises or falls in temp.
Transport to a hospital
Critical Symptoms (Body Temp below 82 degrees), unconscious and may appear dead, rigid body, little or no apparent breathing, slow or no pulse, gray or bluish skin tone, pupils dilated.
Call for emergency medical help
Assume victim is revivable, don't give up.
Handle with extreme care
Tilt head back and lift the chin to clear the airway
If there is a pulse or breathing do not commence CPR
If there is no pulse or breathing, commence chest compressions until professional medical help arrives
Apply gentle external warmth to the head, neck, chest, and groin.
Transport to hospital - this is critical for survival.
For more information and in depth knowledge of hypothermia, check out this amazing resource from Minnasota Sea Grant.
Credit for all content: Minnasota Sea Grant, reproduced for educational purposes.
Stay safe!
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