BEWARE HYPOTHERMIA!

That freezing cold weather really gets your heart pumping . . . or does it slow it down?  It all depends on how cold your body ultimately gets.  If your body’s “core” temperature is reduced enough, accompanied by low blood pressure, you may be suffering from hypothermia.  Don’t take this lightly.  Hypothermia can lead to unconsciousness and even death!

A common cause of hypothermia is finding yourself immersed in cold water.  For mariners, falling overboard or off a dock can lead to this condition.  Just how severe it can be depends on your general health, the water temperature, the amount of physical exertion, your blood alcohol level and the duration of the exposure.

The obvious question is: “What can you do about it?”  For starters, you or your crew members may be knowledgeable of  the recommended first aid procedures for hypothermia sufferers.  If you are lucky, you may be in near proximity to a first aid squad or other personnel trained in first aid.  If you are out on the water far from land, you might be in trouble.

Your local Coast Guard personnel, while not medical professionals, are trained in first aid.  The Coast Guard considers first aid to be “doing what must be done before medical help is available.”  Coast Guard boat crews often find themselves the first on the scene in such situations.  They are trained to administer first aid until the patient can get to a professional (paramedics, doctors, etc.).

The most obvious symptoms of hypothermia are low body temperature, low blood pressure, slow and weak pulse and unconsciousness.  Hypothermia may simulate or accompany shock.  Other signs of hypothermia are cold skin, shivering, clouded mental capacity, slow, labored breathing, dilated pupils and slurred speech.

While most of us think of hypothermia as a condition from deathly cold temperatures, it is actually the result of a “loss of body heat.”  The difference is that you cannot do anything about the water or air temperature, but you can do something about limiting the loss if body heat.

If the victim is aware of the experience that caused the condition and remains in a rational state of mind, basic treatment may be all that is required.  In the event of a semi-conscious or an unconscious state, contact medical personnel for detailed treatment instructions.

Once again I stress the importance of a good marine VHF radio and knowledge of operating procedures.  For example, maintain the habit of keeping your VHF radio on channel 16 (the hailing and distress channel) at all times, unless you have business on another channel.

It is easy to forget and leave your radio on the last working channel that you used.  In the event that you are out in cold weather with two of your “landlubber” friends when you fall overboard, one of them may attempt as radio call for help.  If your radio was left on a working channel, that call for assistance may go unanswered.  The local Coast Guard Station and all responsible mariners will be monitoring channel 16.  Your “landlubber” friends are not likely to know that.

As in most situations, being prepared is your best defense against disaster.  However, your VHF radio is your link to both assistance and instructions on what to do in the meantime.  Use it!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!