As many winter recreation spots across the nation
experience bitter cold fronts, its time to brush up on
some cold weather illnesses. Here's a quiz to test
your knowledge:
- You are climbing in the backcountry below
freezing one day from help. A man from your party
loses his glove and develops severe frostbite. You
should:
- A) Find a warm, dry glove for the victim
to
wear
- B) Build a fire to thaw out the hand as
soon
as possible
- C) Begin to hike out with the victim as
soon as possible
- D) You should thaw the hand as quickly
as
possible in 107o F water
- E) Vigorously rub snow on the frostbitten
hand to thaw it out
While snowmobiling in Wyoming, you come
across
another group huddled around a fire. One man cannot
stop shivering. This man has a case of:
- A) Mild hypothermia
- B) Moderate hypothermia
- C) Severe hypothermia
What is the most important factor in
avalanche survival?
- A) Fitness level of the buriedvictim
- B) The amount of time the victim is
buried
- C) Type of avalanche in which the victim is
caught
- D) The victim's ability to remove skis and
poles before burial
- E) The ability of the victim to create an air
pocket around their face
After determining that avalanche conditions are
satisfactory, you decide to go backcountry skiing near
Alta, Utah. You should always remember:
- A) Safer slopes are generally
between 35 and 45 degrees
- B) Gullies are generally safe places to
travel
- C) Travel one person at a time when
crossing hazardous areas
- D) Talk in low, hushed voices so as to not
disrupt an avalanche
- E) Exposed areas are frequently safest as
there is less risk of being injured against a tree
Answers
- C - In cases of severe frostbite, especially
within a day of medical help, it is best to evacuate as
quickly as possible. A glove will not help an already
frostbitten hand and rubbing or rapid heating can
greatly
worsen tissue damage
- A - Uncontrollable shaking is a symptom
characteristic of mild hypothermia
- B - If a victim is extricated in under 15
minutes, the chance of survival is 90%. It drops to 30
percent as the time approaches 35 minutes. This is
why avalanche precautions including probes and
beacons are so vital!
- C - Even when avalanche risk is low,
hazardous areas should be crossed one at a time
and all other good avalanche technique should be
observed. Gullies, exposed areas, and 35 to 45
degree slopes are among the danger zones in
avalanche conditions.
How did you do? Remind your patients that
preparation is key in cold weather, altitude,
and avalanche conditions. They should have
proper
equipment and clothing, know conditions
where they
are headed, and be familiar with proper
backcountry
techinque to ensure a fun, safe excursion.
