Stayin' Alive: More Than Just a BeeGees Tune

Whether you are a winter camper, or strictly a spring/summer excursionist, it's usually all fun and games until someone comes down with a wicked (or acute) case of hypothermia; and it happens more than you think! Many people like to head out into the wild in the earlier or later seasons to avoid the bugs and trail traffic, but venturing out in single digit temps is risky if you don't know how to protect yourself. 

Hy-po-ther-mic [adjective]:  subnormal temperature of the body

Unless you're Mr. Freeze from Batman, you aren't protected!

Suffering from even acute hypothermia can be happen from something as simple as wearing damp clothing in the evening. Read on and we'll give you some quick ways to prevent, identify symptoms and how to treat mild to severe hypothermia. 


Prevention:
- Remember to pack your rain gear (jacket/pants) even if only on a day hike. Mountain tops are generally colder and damper.
- Bring an extra fleece layer on your hike to add on if temperature changes.
- Leave all cotton layers at HOME! Cotton will do nothing to retain your body heat, and generally gets damp very quickly. 
- Make sure your boots are waterproof and that you wear warm socks!
- Wear baselayers
- When clothing gets damp, change them as soon as possible.
- try to ventilate as much as you can. Sweating in colder temps can lead to shivering.
- If conditions are less than idea, pack an emergency blanket
- KEEP HYDRATED! (best to use a water bottle if possible, or have an insulated water resevoir and drink tube).

Although it's nice and Spring-y outside, don't underestimate the potential
drop in temperature. Protect your body & wear layers!

Any scenario that can possibly lower your core temperatures should be assessed and prepared for. Most times identifying mild forms is pretty tough. But it is important if you notice something off about your hiking partner, or you notice any of these symptoms in yourself, to go ahead with any preventative measures and/or treatment immediately. Do Not Dismiss mild hypothermia


What Does Hypothermia Look Like? 
There are two forms of hypothermia: mild & severe. Here are some signs to identify both. 
Mild - Moderate :
- Shivering 
- pale skin & extremities
- mental confusion
- slow movement
- regular tasks seem difficult


Severe:
- slurred speech
- mental disfunction
- disorientation
- loss in motor skill 
- cannot walk 
- blue, puffy skin
When you notice that your hiking partner has the symptoms of severe hypothermia, it must be treated as a life or death situation. If camping overnight in damp conditions, and you or your partner were showing even a few signs of mild hypothermia, make a point to check on each other through the night.

This is never a good idea. He was later treated for severe frostbite
and hypothermia. 

Here are some small techniques to treat both mild-moderate and severe hypothermia. 
Mild: 
- do some jumping jacks
- drink something warm (tea or soup)
- remove any damp layers and change to dry
- heat up your skin as much as possible (use hand/toe warmers or hot water bottle in armpits) 
Severe: 
- insulate bare skin from the torso first! warming extremities could result in a rebound, making things worse. 
-  use skin to skin contact
- give luke warm water to drink, anything with a lot of heat will seem like scalding water. 
- if shivering stops from exhaustion, muscles will be tight - handle with care and give them a pre-warmed blanket (with body heat). 
- once your partner or you is stable, use electrolyte replacement drinks if available. 

Of, if you find they are hypothermic and you have done the previous instructions, make 'em a Hypo-Wrap! Here's how:

If you head into the backcountry, make sure that you do a checklist of important items to bring with you. Even on a day hike, bring your rainwear and extra layers. Spring/Fall are unsuspecting seasons to be slammed with hypothermia, where winter camping seems more likely, so Be Prepared. 
If you follow preventative measures and you'll be sure to be worry free, and able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors! Have fun!