Hypothermia

Question 1

Frost Nip

Answer 1

Frost Nip is a mild form of
cold injury.

Question 2

Frostbite

Answer 2

Frostbite is damage to
skin tissue caused by
freezing. Very cold skin
can freeze in minutes or
seconds.

Question 3

Dr. Giesbrecht coined
the phrase 1-10-1

Answer 3

1 minute to get breathing
under control.
- Initial cold shock response
- Uncontrolled gasping and
hyperventilation
- Pain, muscle cramps
- Disorientation.
- 10 minutes of meaningful
movement
- Cold muscle tissue
- Gradual loss of effective
use of hands arms and
legs
- 1 hour of consciousness
- Even in ice water, it could
take approximately 1 hour
before you lose
consciousness.
o Keep mouth and nose out
of the water.

Question 4

Thermal conductivity of water:

Answer 4

Water will rob the body of
heat twenty five times faster
than air alone.

Movement increases heat
loss

Question 5

Hypothermia

Answer 5

Hypothermia is a medical
emergency that occurs when the
body loses heat faster than it
can produce, causing core
temperature to drop below that
required for normal metabolism
and body functions.
It is caused by prolonged
exposure to water temperatures
colder than 77F when the body
cannot maintain normal
temperature indefinitely.

Question 6

Mild hypothermia

Answer 6

Mild condition of hypothermia
 Conscious and alert
 Vigorous shivering
 Pain and numbness
 Some loss of movement
(fingers and toes)

Question 7

Moderate condition of
hypothermia.

Answer 7

Moderate condition of
hypothermia.
 Survivor may be conscious or
semi-conscious.
 Drowsy/moderate clouding of
the mental faculties.
 Shivering not present

Question 8

Severe condition of
hypothermia

Answer 8

Severe condition of
hypothermia
 Survivor is unconscious
 Weak vital signs
 Muscular rigidity
 Dilated pupils which are
poorly reactive to light

Question 9

Profound condition of
hypothermia

Answer 9

Profound condition of
hypothermia
 No vital signs
 Muscular rigidity
 Pupils are fixed and dilated
Very few in this stage survive
without urgent advanced,
specialized medical intervention.