Winter Public Health 

There are a variety of issues that effect our health during the winter months. These issues may include the weather and its effects on the body, injuries during winter recreational activities, traveling during hazardous conditions, and many other complications. This newsletter focuses on all of the mentioned aspects, because we understand that health is an overall entity.

"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy."
   

-  Anton Chekhov

Winter Driving - Easy Does It Montana!

Backcountry Safety - Altitude sickness, Hypothermia, etc.

One of the most common issues that arise while playing in the backcountry is acute mountain sickness (AMS). It is the first stage in illness associated with the brain. The symptoms usually appear within 6-10 hour but can appear as little as one hour. Since signs are nonspecific its can be difficult to access AMS, the signs and symptoms could also indicate dehydration, infection, hypothermia, hangover, drug overdose, or carbon monoxide poisoning-but if the patient recently arrived at 8,000 feet or more AMS should be your first guess!

• Signs and symptoms are headaches, loss of appetite with nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and being unusually fatigued with dizziness. Swelling of the face, hands or feet (peripheral edema) may or may not accompany AMS and a patient may show signs of swelling without showing any other significant signs or symptoms of AMS.

Krueger, R. (2014). Pack Smart. [online] Available at: http://www.outsidebozeman.com/activities/skiing/backcountry/pack-smart [Accessed 21 Nov. 2014].

Avalanche Safety

Weak layers of snow that creates avalanches can form in December and last throughout the season, so don't assume that a lack of snowfall will always mean low avalanche conditions

• When you dig a pit to examine the snowpack, try to choose a spot with the same aspect, orientation and sunlight exposure as the slope you will be skiing down. Look for weak layers and layers of surface hoar. Learn how to test the snowpack for stability by using a shovel compression test.
• If you need to travel across an avalanche prone slope; do this 1 person at a time. If an avalanche does occur, you will have several people looking for 1 person - rather than have 1 person looking for several people.
• Always wear an avalanche beacon when you are traveling in avalanche territory. Be sure to carry a shovel and probe as well. Make sure you know how to use all of this safety equipment and make sure it is easily accessible in your pack. Avoid bringing anyone into an avalanche danger zone with you that doesn't have ALL of this equipment.
• Concave slopes are safer than convex slopes. A convex slope curves like a dome and is highest in the middle. A concave slope is shaped more like a bowl. The natural force of gravity on a concave slope can help to hold a snow slab in place.
• Most people who die in avalanches do not die from carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation. The majority of these unfortunate skiers and riders die from trauma and internal injuries that are sustained while being swept down the slope by an avalanche. Consider this when judging the avalanche danger of a particular slope. Ask yourself what will happen to you if there is an avalanche? Will you be swept down a rock-free 35 degree pitch, or will you be sent through a series of pine trees, rock gardens, and then off of a 200 foot cliff?
• Trees can help to make a slope safer by holding the snowpack in place. If there is an avalanche, it is less likely to grow and become devastating. Don't take this advice in an absolute fashion; you can still have a deadly avalanche on a slope that has trees scattered heavily. However, the presence of trees rather than an avalanche slide path can also hint that a slope may be relatively safe. Look for pine trees that have low branches running through the weak snow layers; these are what can help to stabilize the slope. Bare trees with little or no fauna will not significantly decrease the avalanche risk of a slope.
• Choose your route up the mountain just as carefully as you choose your route down. Your exposure to the slope will be even longer on the way up and the danger of avalanches should be a priority in your ascent choice.

 
 Calling all college students interested in health professions!

Whether you are already in a health science program of study or still considering your options, joining a post-secondary HOSA chapter will allow you to explore careers in health through competitive events, job shadowing and educational symposiums with medical professionals.

College students who join HOSA will also receive FREE membership to the National Rural Health Association, courtesy of the MT Office of Rural Health!

And if that's not enough, HOSA also offers scholarships for school and opportunities to prepare for the MCAT or NCLEX Exams.

There are 57 diffierent competitive events to compete in at State and National Leadership Conferences. You can even compete in Epidemiology, Public Health, Healthy Lifestyles, or CERT skills.

Find out more about Montana HOSA: CLICK HERE

REACH is an acronym for Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Health. The regional AHECs set up a partnership between local hospitals and high schools to provide students the opportunity to visit their local hospital and participate in hands-on activities in a variety of departments.

Please contact me in order to see what we events we have going on for REACH in the future! Renee Harris - Rharris3@mt.gov