Re: Hypothermia
Rex Goode (rexg@COIL.COM)
Mon, 1 Apr 1996 13:09:26 -0500
On Mon, 1 Apr 1996, Bob Amick wrote:
> The concern in serious hypothermia is not so much shock as it is
> ventricular arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) caused by cold blood coming
> from cold extremities during the rewarming process. This is why it is
> essential that rewarming be done in a hospital in case the heart does
> become irregular. The transfer of body heat from a rescuer to victim of
> hypothermia in a field setting is of course very appropriate, and may
> sustain life until the victim can be hospitalized.
When we determined once that my son had a mild case of hypothermia on a
backpacking trip, we made skin-to-skin contact for about a half-hour
while standing. The terrain was very rocky and there was no good place to
set up a tent. We had both stripped off coats and shirts and then wrapped
my clean dry coat (which was big enough for both of us) around us. While
we stood there someone heated up some soup base in water of which he took
a few small sips. Eventually we determined he was able to walk again
after changing into dry clothes. We were in a fog, which was the cause of
the moisture.
I was glad it was me and my son. I would have been concerned if I would
have needed to apply that measure with someone else. Is my concern
unreasonable? Has anyone ever had legal problems applying the
skin-to-skin body heat transfer? When I've taught boys and adult leaders
about this treatment for hypothermia, the boys' reactions were what you
might expect. The adults surprised me. Many said they would neither
volunteer to be the warm body, nor would they urge another Scout to do
so. They'd do their best without resorting to that measure simply out of
fear of legal repercussions later. I would have given me pause, but I
think I would still proceed if it seemed necessary.
-----
Rex Goode
rexg@coil.com http://www.coil.com/~rexg/index.htm
I used to be a buffalo...
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
