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 December 2009
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ADVANCED WILDERNESS
LIFE SUPPORT

6525 Gunpark Drive, #370
Boulder, Colorado 80301
1-866-830-3394
www.awls.org
Greetings!

Unexpected storms have brought surprising winter conditions all across the country for several weeks. That just makes us want to get outside even more! Check out our quiz on hypothermia as well as our upcoming courses to stay safe this winter!
 
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Mountain Sickness

Hypothermia



On a rescue effort in the Colorado Rockies, your team is able to locate a 35-yr-old male who is making his way slowly through some brush only a few yards from a well-marked trail. He is not shivering and claims to be fine. His pupils are dilated and his speech is slurred. Night falls and a storm is coming in and you decide that it is unsafe to evacuate until morning.
 
  1. What is your diagnosis? What is the first action to be taken in treatment?
  2. Though you have sufficient food and water, you have little fuel for your stove. What is the best use of your resources?
  3. The night is cold and you are unable to warm your patient and his condition worsens. If his puse disappears, when is it alright to initiate CPR?


ANSWERS:

    1. This patient quite likely has moderate to severe hypothermia. The lack of shivering and perception of warmth should be a warning to you that his body's ability to regulate temperature. The most immediate treatment is to ensure that he doesn't lose any more heat. Remove any wet clothes and replace them with dry ones. Seek immediate shelter from the cold wind and water (i.e. tent and sleeping bag).ost often occurs at altitudes in excess of 2000 meters.

    2. While warming water to place in the groin or armpits is a good treatment option, the patient's lack of shivering tells you he is not regulating temperature and warm food or beverage may be more beneficial since you can use your team's body heat to warm him instead. Help your patient regain energy especially while he is still concious to swallow.

    3. In severe hypothermia there is a real danger of cardiac arrest resulting from any jolt. Because sever hypothermia can mimic death, do not start CPR unless no pulse is felt after palpating the carotid artery for 2 minutes. Continue warming and remember that no one is dead until they are warm and dead.

Hypothermia can take almost anyone by surprise in the backcountry. Make sure that you and your patients or friends always prepare adequately for the location and weather they will meet. Make sure everyone gets ample nutrition remembering that the backcountry is no place to diet. Stay safe (and warm) in the backcountry!