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parts of the face are the most likely
parts of the body to freeze. Frostbite
usually is divided into two categories
-superficial frostbite, or frost nip,
which involves only the skin and the
layer of cells immediately beneath it;
and deep frostbite, which involves
deeper layers of tissue, including
muscles, tendons and bones. As with
hypothermia, be alert to frostbite
symptoms and treat them as early as
possible. Superficial frostbite is far
more easily reversible than deep
frostbite. In the first stages of frost-
bite the skin feels extremely cold,
then becomes numb and loses feel-
ing. If the area is not treated it may
begin to feel warm, which may be an
indication that the injury is progress-
ing from superficial to deep. The
skin looks dead, yellow-white or
waxy. Superficial frostbite feels stiff
on the surface but doughy under-
neath, since underlying tissue is not
yet frozen. When the area becomes
hard and feels solid, the frostbite is
probably deep. Do not probe an area
excessively to determine the extent
of the injury.
For superficial frostbite, rewarm
the injured area rapidly. Body heat
often does the trick: place frost-
nipped fingers under your own arm-
pits, place a warm hand over ears or
cheeks or warm your toes on a com-
panion's abdomen. Warm water (not
hot) also works. Never rub a frostbit-
ten area, whether the injury is super-
ficial or deep. Sharp ice crystals that
have formed in frozen cells can pierce
delicate structures and do extensive,
irreversible damage.
Superficial frostbite that goes unno-
ticed and untreated can become deep
frostbite-an extremely dangerous
condition that can lead to loss of the
affected limb or even death. Make
-very attempt to get the victim to a
doctor before you try to treat deep
Frostbite in the field. It would be(
getter to let the victim walk on
rostbitten feet for hours or even
lays than to risk thawing and refreez-
ng the feet. Little damage is caused
)y walking on frozen feet, but walk-
ng on thawed feet could well result
n their loss. Remember that thawing
nd refreezing of superficial frost-
)ite, while not especially desirable, is
usually not critical. But the same
)rocedure with deep frostbite can
FIRST AID FOR
FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA
FROSTBITE:
Cover the frczen part.
Prcvde extra clothing and blankets.
Brirg the victim indoors as soon as possible.
Give the victim a warm drink.
" Rewar m the f frozen part quickly byimrersing it in water that is warm, but
but not hot, when tested by pouring some of the water over the inner
surface of your forearm. Place a thern-ometer in the water and carefully
adc warm water to maintain tl-e temperature between 102 degrees and
10i degrees. Note: If the affected part has beer thawed and refroze7, it
shculd be warre-ed at room temperature ;from 70 degrees to 74 degrees:.
It warm water is not available or practical to use, wrap the affected part
gently in a sheet and warm blankets.
* Do not rub tI-e part; rubbing way cause gangrene ;tissue death).
Do not apply heat lamp or hot water bottles.
Do not let the victim bring the affected part near a hot stove.
Do not break the blisters.
Do not allow tbe victim to walk after the affected part thaws, if h s feet
are involved .
S nce severe swelling develops very rapidly after -haw:ng, discontinue
warming the victim as soon as the affected part becomes flushed.
Once :he affected part is rewarmed, have the victim exercise it.
If f ngers or toes are involved, place dry, sterile gauze between them to
keep them separated
" Do not apply cther dressings unless the victim is tc be transported for
medical aid.
If travel is necessary, cover the affected parts witF sterile or clean cloths
anc keep the riured parts elevated.
" Elevate the frostbitten parts and protect there from contact with
bedclothes.
* Give fluids, p-ovided that the victim is conscious and ncot vomiting.
Obtain medical assistance as soon possible.
HYPOTHERMIA (cold exposure):
* Give artificial respiration, if necessary.
Bring the victim into a warm room as quickly as possible.
* Rerrove wet or frozen clothing and ar-ything that is corstricting.
" Rewarm the victim rapidly by wrapporig him in warm blankets, or by
placing him in a tub of water that is warm, but not hot, to the hand or
forearm.
I the victim is conscious, give him hot liquids by mouth (not alcohol).
" Dry the victim thoroughly if water was used to rewarm him.
" Carry out appropriate procedures as described for frostbite.
SOURCE: American Red Cross
Note: If no other heat source is available. put tlhe unclothed victim _n a
sleepirg bag with two other unclo-hed people, one cn either side of him to
transfer warmth by contact. Puttirg a hypothermia victim in a cold sleeping
bag s useless.
na ve tragic results. And by the way,
ruoring a frostbitten area with snow
s lixe rLbing a b'urn witl- hot
grease-dor't do it.
Cord is a more serious stress than
nois: people realize. It can lower effi-
ciency, cause discomfcrt and turn an
enjovable outing-into a life-threa:en-
ing situation. Cold, wind and damp-
ness can be deadly. But for those
who are prepared, winter is an exhila-
rating time to be outdoors. Jus: treat
co: weather with- the auctionn due
any unpredictable companion. x*
NOVEMBER 1983
39