hypothermia annapolis yacht club february 24. overview what is hypothermia ? how does it happen? why...
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HypothermiaAnnapolis Yacht Club
February 24
Overview
What is Hypothermi
a?
How does it happen?
Why does it happen?
What do I do to
prevent it?
Proper attire for
cold weather
Tips for handling a situation
Water Temp Survival
Rate
Windchill chart
How to survive in the water
Symptoms
Treatment
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.”
Stay Dry Stay ALIVE
How does it happen?
Radiation- loss of heat due to the environment.
Conduction- through direct
contact between objects, think
WATER & SKIN. Water conducts heat away from the body 25x
faster than air.
Keep your body covered up, hats, gloves and core
and chances go down
Why does it happen?
Wearing Improper clothingCotton, non wicking under layers
It is hard to “re-warm” cold sweat.
No dry suit or wetsuit NO HAT
Getting wetCapsize, falling in, spray, sweat.
Fatigue, dehydration, hungerNot eating, getting enough sleep
or drinking enough fluids can lead to Hypothermia
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.
Properly Dressed Sailor!Base layer
Wicking layer- NO COTTON, the goal here is to get sweat away from my skin.
Thermal layerKeep me warm- OPERTIVE word here is warm. You
don’t want to be hot as you are sailing or you will SWEAT!
Outer LayerWaterproof-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.
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 layerSorry can’t cheat here. Poly,
underarmour, fleece, capilene, wool works!
I’ve Fallen (in) & I Can’t Get Up!Capsize!
Tips to make it easier/safer and to keep sailing….DON’T PANICR U OK?Minimize time in waterGet 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.
Additional tipsMake 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
Water Temp Survival Rate
Avg Water Temp:November 53December 47January 41February 41
Water Temp Survival time
70+ 3 + Hours
60-70 2-40 Hours
50-60 1-6 Hrs
40-50 1-3 hours
MASSA Rule: if combined water and air temp below 100. Must wear Dry or
Wetsuit!
Air Temperature Water Temperature Combined Temperature
50 50 100
60 40 100
45 55 100
45 45 90
55 38 93
55 48 103
60 45 105
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.
How to survive in the water?
Signs & SymptomsHypothermia 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.
TreatmentGradually 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 ClothesSounds 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 AlcoholWarm water, drinks. No coffee, tea or stimulants .
ReviewHypothermia, 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