Hypothermia
Very often underestimated but it is a real danger that can come in very cold water, to produce an uncontrolled hyperventilation and cardiac arrest.
Very often underestimated but it is a real danger that can come in very cold water, to produce an uncontrolled hyperventilation and cardiac arrest.
In less severe conditions it is clearly decline in performance to the point of compromising the ability necessary to dive. The
ipotemia is manifested by the lowering of body temperature under physiological Valloria (37 ° approximately).
The sub is exposed when there is water, but it can also be
before and after immersion in the winter.
remember that the water dissipates the heat faster than air 25 and that the mix based on Elio strongly contribute to heat loss.
ipotemia is manifested by the lowering of body temperature under physiological Valloria (37 ° approximately).
The sub is exposed when there is water, but it can also be
before and after immersion in the winter.
remember that the water dissipates the heat faster than air 25 and that the mix based on Elio strongly contribute to heat loss.
We can distinguish three levels of hypothermia depend on body temperature:
Mild Hypothermia: a sense of cold, shivering and stimulus urination, tachycardia and
uncoordinated movements of limbs, loss of mental and physical performance (
full attention is focused on the cold and is removed by exposing the progression to other hazards);
Moderate Hypothermia: weakness, numbness, slows the tremor, motor incoordination
increases, uncertainty in the upright posture, mental confusion and difficulty
word
severe hypothermia: disorders and vision loss, tremor ceases altogether, unable to walk, muscle rigidity , arterial hypotension, bradycardia, slow breathing, dilated pupils
, lifeless appearance.
Given the exposure of the body at different temperatures, it must keep the temperature constant, addresses this task through a mechanism of self-protection.
The heat comes from energy metabolism and activity of muscle and power. While
heat losses occur at 70% for radiation and conduction and secondly
through sweat, respiration and urine.
Faced with the cold sensation by activating the body defends itself: •
muscular work (with the beat of the teeth),
• cutaneous vasoconstriction (which moves blood from the periphery to vital organs),
• increased appetite (as demand for energy) • the need
to curl;
all reflections that link the spontaneous keep warm.
Force the muscle movement as a source of heat production, to deal with hypothermia,
is not a good technique for self-rescue when the water is very cold (below 10 °
heat generated by the movement will be less to what the environment unable to disperse. At the same time the mechanism of muscular movement contrasts
cutaneous vasoconstriction, which tends to protect the internal organs, thus increasing the cooling rate of the blood.
Body fat has good insulating properties, but do not overdo it
is the enemy of the good physical form.
A good fitness and good nutrition promote resistance to cold.
We can prevent the onset of hypothermia by acting on several fronts.
Power: It is important that it is particularly rich in carbohydrates. They are an easily digestible food and
rapidly transformed into sugar immediately
available body to release energy.
Clothing: we said that water and humidity are very strong sources of
loss of body heat, it must be ensured to isolate the body from the outside through
fabrics and warm insulation, but at the same time permit perspiration.
Planning: before planning long dives in cold water should know their level of resistance to cold, bring warm food and dry clothes.
Power: It is important that it is particularly rich in carbohydrates. They are an easily digestible food and
rapidly transformed into sugar immediately
available body to release energy.
Clothing: we said that water and humidity are very strong sources of
loss of body heat, it must be ensured to isolate the body from the outside through
fabrics and warm insulation, but at the same time permit perspiration.
Planning: before planning long dives in cold water should know their level of resistance to cold, bring warm food and dry clothes.
If despite all precautions had to be faced with a case of hypothermia
you know how to act.
This involves:
Isolate the victim from source of heat loss (to lead the party in dry,
them to wear clothes dry, provide good coverage of the body with blankets or a towel
thermal);
Isolate the victim from source of heat loss (to lead the party in dry,
them to wear clothes dry, provide good coverage of the body with blankets or a towel
thermal);
Provide hot drinks ( they do not give great warmth,
prevent dehydration) excited as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and tea.
Prevent unnecessary movement because this causes the cold blood from the periphery to vital organs
.
prevent dehydration) excited as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and tea.
Prevent unnecessary movement because this causes the cold blood from the periphery to vital organs
.
Keep the casualty closely monitored and carefully observe the vital signs.
Provide heat with the body contact.
Provide heat with the body contact.
warming a severely hypothermic victim may not be in place and needs of staff and a qualified medical center.
particularly deep dives may be necessary based mixtures of helium.
This gas is very volatile and then disperses the heat so fast, particularly in fostering the emergence of a substantial hypothermia. You will need to plan for adequate thermal protection (watertight + Argon, appropriate undergarments), place close attention to the change of air mixture Trimix / Heliox in order to avoid drastic changes in body temperature.
Prevention is still the goal. We do so with the knowledge to learn how to avoid this problem.
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