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Hypothermia

Hypothermia. Annapolis Yacht Club February 24. Overview. What is Hypothermia?. Hypothermia - "a decrease in core body temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired. ” In other words, “ when your body is too cold to deal. ”. How does it happen?.

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Hypothermia

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  1. Hypothermia Annapolis Yacht Club February 24

  2. Overview

  3. What is Hypothermia? • Hypothermia - "a decrease in core body temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired.” • In other words, “when your body is too cold to deal.”

  4. How does it happen? Conduction- through direct contact between objects, think WATER & SKIN. Water conducts heat away from the body 25x faster than air. Radiation- loss of heat due to the environment. Keep your body covered up, hats, gloves and core and chances go down Stay Dry Stay ALIVE

  5. Why does it happen? • Wearing Improper clothing • Cotton, non wicking under layers • It is hard to “re-warm” cold sweat. • No dry suit or wetsuit • NO HAT • Getting wet • Capsize, falling in, spray, sweat. • Fatigue, dehydration, hunger • Not eating, getting enough sleep or drinking enough fluids can lead to Hypothermia

  6. What do I do to help prevent it? Luckily common sense helps here! • Wear the Right Gear • Under layer (closest to the skin) is able to wick moisture from skin. • Keep hands and feet DRY (extremities are the first to go) • Wear a HAT • Drink water, not Soda or Coffee • Yes even if you are not thirsty, it is far easier to get Hypothermia if you are dehydrated! (caffeine is a dehydrator) • Eat small meals • Small healthy snacks in between sets keeps the energy level up. • Food = Fuel Fuel = Heat • Do I need to wear/buy a dry suit? • NO a good wetsuit works fine with a wind blocking outer layer.

  7. Properly Dressed Sailor! • Base layer • Wicking layer- NO COTTON, the goal here is to get sweat away from my skin. • Thermal layer • Keep me warm- OPERTIVE word here is warm. You don’t want to be hot as you are sailing or you will SWEAT! • Outer Layer • Waterproof-windproof- keep the elements out. • Gloves, boots and hats • Gloves-Dishwashing gloves work well. • Boots- good boots or sneakers with waterproof socks or bags. • Hat- fleece tight fitting hat that covers the ears. No Bankrobbers.

  8. HELP this is costing me a Fortune! • Wetsuit vs Dry Suit • The modern drysuit was invented 20 years ago. Previously, sailors wore wet suits - goal is to warm up the water between the body and the suit. • Gore-Tex socks vs. Warm socks & plastic bags • The goal is to keep feet warm & dry. We have had some success with good sneakers and wool/fleece socks and plastic bags. • Wicking layer • Sorry can’t cheat here. Poly, underarmour, fleece, capilene, wool works!

  9. I’ve Fallen (in) & I Can’t Get Up! Capsize! Tips to make it easier/safer and to keep sailing…. • DON’T PANIC • R U OK? • Minimize time in water • Get the boat upright fast, or CALL for help & get out of the water. • Change clothes between sets, if you have wet under layer change it! • Keep your head ABOVE water, sounds basic, but really important.

  10. Additional tips • Make sure both skipper and crew are on the same page • “Ready to gybe?” • Help each other be safe • Again, DO NOT PANIC. In any situation, it is important to remain calm. • If capsized, first check on partner, then immediately try to flip the boat back up. • Scoop Method

  11. Water Temp Survival Rate Avg Water Temp: November 53 December 47 January 41 February 41

  12. MASSA Rule: if combined water and air temp below 100. Must wear Dry or Wetsuit!

  13. How to survive in the water? I am stuck in the water what do I do? HELP Heat, Escape, Lessening, Position. This position, commonly referred to as the fetal position. Try to move knees to chest and wrap arms around body. DON’T PANIC! It saps energy and you need energy to keep warm.

  14. Signs & Symptoms • Hypothermia is progressive - the body passes through several stages before an individual lapses into an unconscious state. The extent of a person’s hypothermia can be determined from the following: 1. Mild Hypothermia - the person feels cold, has violent shivering and slurred speech. 2. Medium Hypothermia - the person has a certain loss of muscle control, drowsiness, incoherence, stupor and exhaustion. 3. Severe Hypothermia - the person collapses and is unconscious and shows signs of respiratory distress and/or cardiac arrest probably leading to death.

  15. Treatment • Gradually Raise Body Temp • Wrap person in warm blankets/clothes and immediately remove to a warm shelter, • Sleeping bag/blanket, group hug (yes it works)! • Remove Wet Clothes • Sounds simple, but you would be surprised. • Always have a change of clothes in your bag. • Don’t Rub, Massage, etc. • This brings cold blood from the surface to the core. Key is to warm the core. • No Alcohol • Warm water, drinks. • No coffee, tea or stimulants .

  16. Review • Hypothermia, a decrease in core body temp, can be caused by wearing improper gear, getting wet, not protecting extremities, and malnutrition. • Proper gear: Base layer – thermal layer – outer layer • Tips: Don’t panic, get out of water ASAP, get boat upright, change clothes, get warm, call for help • Signs: cold, shivering, slurred speech, loss of muscle control, incoherence, exhaustion, respiratory distress, unconsciousness • Treatments: Gradually raise core body temp, get dry, get inside warm building, stay calm

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