Staying safe from hypothermia
It’s winter sports season, when fresh snow in the mountains draws skiers and snowboarders to the passes for outdoor play. Experienced adventurers know to wear plenty of layers of protective clothing, pace their activities to include rest, eat and drink frequently, and generally practice good cold-weather self-care. But folks who are newer to winter sports, or who find themselves exposed to the cold without advance planning, may be at greater risk for hypothermia.
What is Hypothermia? It’s a medical emergency that arises when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). As the body loses heat more quickly than it generates, the brain and other vital organs become impaired. Without treatment, the respiratory system and heart can fail, eventually resulting in death.
Some common causes of hypothermia include cold water immersion and exposure to cold weather. People at greater risk include older adults, people with mobility challenges, infants and toddlers, people who stay outdoors in cold weather for long periods (e.g., if living houseless, hiking, skiing, hunting, working outdoors), and people using alcohol and/or drugs while outdoors. In the Pacific Northwest, hypothermia can occur at temperatures well above freezing if a person’s clothing gets wet from rain or sweat, drawing away body heat.
Symptoms: Hypothermia may start with shivering, slurred speech, and slow shallow breathing, and progress to clumsiness, drowsiness, and confusion. Irregular heartbeat can also occur, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. In infants, hypothermia can show up as bright red, cold skin and low energy. Symptoms can come on gradually, so that a person may not be aware of their condition. Confused thinking adds to the lack of self-awareness.
Response: If a person is exhibiting severe symptoms, call 911. Move the person gently indoors to get warm. Remove wet clothing and cover them with warm coats and blankets. Monitor them closely until their body temperature returns to normal (for most people, 98.6°F) and all their symptoms resolve.
Prevention tips:
• Bundle up! Wear adequate clothing for weather conditions: a base layer to absorb sweat, some insulating layers, a waterproof and a windproof outer layer. Remember gloves or mittens, hats, warm socks and sturdy footwear. Avoid wearing cotton clothing such as jeans, which draws heat away from the body when it gets wet.
• Eat extra calories to support greater activity levels and/or cold exposure.
• Don’t tough it out. Respond right away when shivering starts, before further symptoms appear.
• Plan ahead: If traveling or going on an outdoor adventure, bring spare clothing and food for everyone. Keep a winter kit in the car that includes warm dry clothes, extra food, and non-alcoholic drinks.
• During winter outdoor activities, check in with each other frequently, and watch for early symptoms.
Learn more: weather.gov/safety/cold-during
Preparing your home for an earthquake
Thanks to a reader for this question: “Where can I get advice and help on preparing my home, my propane tank, and appliances, to make them more resilient to earthquake damage?”
For an assessment of the seismic (earthquake and landslide) resilience of your home, you can hire a licensed geotechnical and/or structural engineer. If cost is a barrier, an experienced handy-person might be a helpful starting point. (When hiring a contractor to work on your home, always make sure they’re licensed, bonded, and insured.) A building contractor who does seismic retrofits (e.g., securing the frame building to its foundation, strapping the water heater and making sure appliances have flexible gas connections, etc.) might also have useful advice.
In addition to your home’s structure, gas appliances such as hot water tanks, ranges, or stove tops may need strapping to studs and/or adding flexible gas connections. This brochure from Washington’s Department of Natural Resources includes actions to take based on your home’s construction and features.
tinyurl.com/WA-DNR-seismic
You also asked about how to turn off electric service at your home after an earthquake. Washington State Department of Health has advice on what to do about electric, water, sewer, and gas service after natural disasters or severe weather. Read more here: tinyurl.com/utils-quake
