Week 12 Flashcards
core
defined as the temperature of the hypothalamus, site of temp regulation
how is the temperature of the core measured
rectal and esophageal probes
- pills that are swallowed and send a temp signal from the gastrointestinal system
skin temperature
measured with dermal patches
influenced by the environment, metabolic rate, clothing and hydration state
radiation
the exchange of electromagnetic energy waves emitted from one object and absorbed by another
conduction
occurs whenever two surfaces with differing temperatures are in direct contact
- insulators do not conduct heat readily
the rate of conductive heat exchange is inversely related to the thickness of the insulating substance
- body fat, air trapped in goose down clothing, multiple layers
convection
requires that one of the media be moving as occurs with a fluid or gaseous medium
- heat transfer from skin to moving air or water
wind chill index
gives the equivalent still air temperature for a particular ambient temperature at different wind velocities
convection-dry suit
the temp gradient between skin and air and the air/water velocity are important factors in determining connective heat loss
evaporation
the transfer of heat from the body surface through the change of liquid water on the skin to a gaseous water vapour in the environment
two primary physiological responses used by humans to defend against a cold enviorment
increase in metabolic rate
increased tissue insulation
non physiological responses to cold
proper clothing, seeking shelter, starting a fire
skin fold thickness affecting response to cold
the thicker the fat layer, the greater the insulation
gender affecting responses to cold
average female has more fat than average male
but women generally have larger surface area-mass ratios than men
which equals more rapid heat loss with larger ratio
women and men with similar skin fold thickness, women are found to lose heat more rapidly
clothing affecting responses to cold
function of the air layer next to the skin, the thickness of the clothing and the air trapped between layers of clothing
base layer, mid layer then outer layer
hypothermia
tc <35 degrees
body core: brain, heart, lungs, blood, liver, kidneys
critical areas for heat loss: head and neck, sides of chest, groin
shivering will cease when core temp falls below 32-34 degrees
death occurs around 24-28 degrees C