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Show jtf HILL TOP TIMES Wdrfdoy, Nowmbw 26, 18& more-sport- s IrJypethermiea: An enemy in cold and warm weaiher By Evelyn Harris American Forces Information Service In 1983, 1,024 Americans died from excessive loss of body heat, or hypothermia. Surprisingly, many of them perished at temperatures above freezing. Although hypothermia is sometimes referred to as "freezing to death," it can occur in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A jogger drenched in sweat or a hiker caught in the rain and exposed to a sudden breeze in temperatures from 32 to 50 degrees can die a chilly death as surely as a stranded climber of a snowy mountain. The reason: Wet clothing loses up to 90 percent of its insulating power. A pleasant breeze can suddenly feel like an icy blast as the wind carries off body heat faster than it can be replaced. Wind chill is also a factor in hypothermia. A wind can carry away eight times more calm air. Motorcycle safety experts heat than body warn that bikers who fail to dress properly for the factors associated with cycling risk high wind-chiserious heat loss even at temperatures as high as 60 degrees. ur ll worse. Of course, when the temperature drops below zero, the chances of hypothermia increase dramatically. Because of this, the National Weather Service warns against getting out of your car and day with walking if your car stalls on a sub-zer- o of 1982, blizzard Denver winds. During the strong 25 a man was found frozen to death only yards from his car. Hypothermia can be sneaky. Its victims often don't know they are in danger. When the body gets too cold, blood leaves the head, hands and feet and goes to the trunk area to keep the internal organs warm. This lack of blood in the brain results in mental confusion and a sense of carelessness. Other hypothermia symptoms include numbness, intense shivering, fatigue, euphoria, lack of coordination and slurred speech. A hypothermia victim needs to get into warm, dry clothing and into a warm place quickly. Warm, nonalcoholic liquids such as hot cocoa can help. Don't give the victim alcohol despite what you may have heard about Saint Bernard dogs and brandy. It constricts the blood vessels and makes the situation ' Don't let a victim exert himself. It can cause the loss of vital body heat needed to raise internal body temperature. Since low blood pressure accompanies hypothermia, position the victim face up with the head a little lower than the body to ensure an adequate amount of oxygen reaches the brain. Monitor the victim closely in case vomiting should occur and choking result. Most cases of hypothermia can be avoided by being prepared and dressing properly. For winter sports, including motorcycling, safety experts suggest wearing several layers of clothing. The layer next to your skin should insulate, the middle layer should trap sweat (cotton is good), and the outer layer should provide wind and water resistance. You can always shed layers if you get too warm. Don't forget gloves, warm socks and a hatmost body heat is lost through the head. Bring extra clothing and raingear and if possible, a thermos of warm liquid. At the first symptoms of hypothermia, get warm! Falling into cold water A plane crashes. A car goes off a If you see someone in cold water, are A These remember boat that he may be unable to bridge. capsizes. few save himself. only a ways you might find yourself unexpectedly plunged into icy If you find yourself in cold water, cold water. swim only as far as the closest object Once you are in icy water, hypotheryou can hang onto. Try to keep as be or can of loss much of your body out of the water as mia, rapid body heat, more of a danger to you than drownpossible. Swimming pumps the warmand er water out of your clothes and lets ing. In fact, the disorientation weakness brought on by hypothermia the cold water in. can cause people to drown. When Air A life vest not only keeps you from Florida 90 Crashed in Washington, drowning, but allows you to assume D.C.; in 1982, one victim slipped unthe best position for conserving der water while only inches from a life- heat with your legs close together line. Fortunately, a passerby dove into and raised to almost a sitting position, the water and pulled her to safety. much like the fetal position. A SPECIAL PLACE FOR PARTY GOODS & DECORATIONS PAPER FACTORY OUTLET STORE VOLUME DISCOUNTS MICHAEL G. 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