Freezing and frostbite, the degree of frostbite

When summer vacation time - it is usually warm season resort where you plenty of fry in the sun or poissledovat depths of the sea, the winter, many associated with New Year's cruises and recreational activities in the mountains. Then proposals for active recreation are many - this ski slopes, and the opportunity to ride the rides, ice skating, and just walk around the snowy peaks.

And, human psychology is such that many holiday is associated primarily with the change of environment. And the more drastic the change will be any better. So often occurs when the southerners go to rest there, where as much snow as well counting weekends northerners Days finally how to warm up somewhere in the Canaries, Cyprus and other resorts , the main feature of which - a lot of hot sun.

It is not surprising that the abrupt climate changes in the travel, say, the snow resorts of the Alps, from beginners who are accustomed to a more mild and warm climate, are often symptoms of hypothermia organism. Well, in the most daring (stubborn, reckless, or, as a rule, traveling with girls is always ready for the exploits of young people), hypothermia can smoothly switch to frostbite. And, quite often subjective in the first moments of hypothermia or even frostbite person perceives the existence of this little fact.

Speechless in the cold skin initially little concern about its owner, but because of yesterday fleeing the draft Southerners, and today's knights without fear and reproach, dressed fairly easily, even by the standards of local residents, with pleasure shall be made of various tricks on the ski slopes in front of his many enthusiastic spectators.

Only through time to the unusual paleness of the skin can become lethargy, confusion, drowsiness, chills, discomfort in the open parts of the body. All these signs indicate a minimum of supercooling of the body. But with prolonged exposure to low temperatures frostbite can occur and the human body, which, incidentally, may be a few degrees.

But first let's look at the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. If the first condition is likely to have experienced almost all of our readers, spree on the streets in freezing weather, all the "charm" of freezing and frostbite, fortunately, have experienced far fewer people. As is known, any effect of cold townsfolk immediately with an innate sense of perfectionism tend to interpret as well, and frozen (LA), I ", although from a medical point of view, correct to say" supercooled. " Because the symptoms of freezing and frostbite, is much more pronounced and far more dangerous to human health and life. But first things first.

So chill. One of the early symptoms of hypothermia is shivering, feeling "crawling chills" through the body, trembling, a slight decrease in sensitivity in the open areas of the body (usually the face, hands). If the impact of the cold continues, then it may be lethargy, drowsiness. are entering at first small, then pronounced circulatory disorders - first in the skin, then into the underlying tissue.

Total body hypothermia can lead to freezing. Contribute to the development of its high humidity, strong wind, fatigue, hunger, low mobility, alcohol intoxication (in such circumstances may occur when the freezing temperature above zero).

When freezing initially marked muscle tremors, heart palpitations, and frequent respiratory movements, appears pale skin. Then lowered body temperature (36 degrees Celsius and below), increased drowsiness, the rate of cardiac activity and arterial pressure decrease. With continued exposure to low temperatures breathing becomes shallow and sparse, then there may come a loss of consciousness and death.

In total hypothermia and freezing the body can develop frostbite individual sections of the body. Typically, they are open areas (face, hands), and often encased in wet shoes feet. Thus there is blanching of the skin, reduces and completely disappears nervous sensitivity, and with a strong FROSTBITE appear bubbles with turbid liquid. The skin becomes edematous, may become bluish-purple hue.

As mentioned above, distinguished several degrees of frostbite. It should be noted that once it is difficult to determine what degree frostbite, the final assessment is possible after about 24 hours, ie some time after otogrevaniya victim in a warm room.

First degree frostbite first corresponds to the appearance of redness, and then blanching and cyanosis (cyanosis), skin, the development of swelling of limbs. The skin becomes insensitive to stimuli.

In the second degree to the phenomena characteristic of first-degree joins the emergence of bubbles in muddy contents.

When third-degree frostbite is numbness plots, their blackening, mummification, and in advanced cases and exclusion.

At low temperature and high humidity are possible cases of so-called "trench foot". In this extremity swell, become painful, the skin reddens. To prevent the disease need to keep your feet dry. In the case of "trench foot" to protect the damaged foot from moisture and cold, warm it periodically to keep in a horizontal position in order to improve blood circulation.

As a first aid for colds or frostbite rights to be transferred into a warm room. If this is not possible, you need to put the victim close to the fire. If frostbite or hypothermia slightly, but the victim can move, very useful active energetic movements, for example, kick your feet - a few dozen times each.

If you can not move you must first release the victim from the icy or wet clothing, if any. When frostbitten legs - frozen cut shoes and remove it. If a strong freezing and loss of consciousness may be absent breath - in this case have to do artificial respiration. Then you should be familiar with the hands or rub the skin with a soft cloth (gloves, fur hats, etc.) to redness and restore sensitivity. Grinding is usually done about 10 minutes, this procedure leads to a warming of the extremities and a decrease or disappearance of pain. If the extremities are cold and pale, it indicates a deeper frostbite. Of course, in those places where there are bubbles or areas of blackening, did not need to rub! Warm frostbitten extremity in warm water with the addition of crystal-manganese acidic potassium (if any), apply the aseptic (sterile) bandage wrap limb. If possible, should be given a hot drink, then put the victim and cover with warm blankets. Further treatment is conducted by a doctor. When pain shall be appointed by analgesics (pain relievers, even narcotic), and for strong degree frostbite victim hospitalized in clinic.

As you can see, low temperatures can result in big trouble for human health. A freezing and frostbite even lead to loss of life. Therefore, it is important as compliance with safety in the mountains, snow and cold areas, and interventions to prevent frostbite. In particular, it is recommended to dress for the weather, having to hand wind and water resistant clothing . It is also recommended not quench your thirst with cold water, snow or ice. Particular attention should be paid to his feet and remember that the tight shoes, lack of insoles, wet dirty socks often serve as the basic prerequisite for spotting and frostbite. Particular attention should be paid to shoes to those who often sweating feet.

With regard to prevention, interventions such as you have probably guessed, are hardening. So, quite useful at home, every day in the evenings to wet feet - first with warm water, then gradually lowering the temperature. First pouring of the foot, then his legs to his knees, after being fully legs. When you have completely mastered, you can move on to pouring the whole body. In addition, very useful bosohozhdenie - a little walk with bare feet on the ground. Better start in the summer, well, then walk every day at least for a few minutes all year round, even in winter. For the hardening of the organism is useful as a contrast shower - alternating pouring hot and cold water.

Thus, pre-preparing your body to conquer the Alps, as well as having mastered the basic guidelines for safety in the mountains, you have every chance of a rich, interesting, and most importantly, safe for your health vacation. Successfully relax!