HOW CAN HYPOTHERMIA BE PREVENTED ?
In-water Tactics When you re in cold water, don t swim unless you can reach a nearby boat, fellow survivor or floating object. Even good swimmers drown while swimming in cold water. Swimming lowers your body temperature. If a nearby floating object is large, pull yourself up onto it. The more of your body that is out of the water, the warmer you ll be. Don t use drownproofing methods that call for putting your face into the water. Keep your head out of the water to lessen heat loss and increase survival time. Use of the HELP position will lessen heat loss. If there are others in the water, HUDDLE together for warmth. Keep a positive outlook; it will improve your chances of survival. Always wear your PFD. Even if you become helpless from hypothermia, your PFD will keep you afloat. DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING It is advisable for everyone involved in activities on the water to wear a thermally protecting buoyancy aid. Buoyant suits, coats and bomber jackets protect from drowni
The main thing you should do to prevent hypothermia is to stay dry and stay warm. If you or someone else has hypothermia, make sure that you do not warm the person too quickly and avoid giving them alcohol (stick to warm- not hot- chicken broth). Body heat is the best way to safely warm up someone who has hypothermia.
How to Prevent Hypothermia
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Wear warm clothing – Make sure to layer your clothing and cover your hands and feet well. Do not overly constrict your wrists, socks, and shoes. - Keep your head warm – Heat is lost most through an unprotected head. Make sure that you have warm headgear and that it stays dry.
- Stay in dry clothes – If your clothes become wet, you are more susceptible to hypothermia. Make sure to change into dry clothes or remove wet clothes if you become wet.
- Find a warm shelter – Make sure to stay in a dry, warm shelter.
