DANGER IN THE COLD

The human body has regulatory mechanisms to defend itself from internal cooling. Even a slight drop in body temperature triggers the regulatory systems to turn up the heat through shivering. Once the core temperature drops below 94 degrees Fahrenheit, the regulatory system fails. As the temperature drops even further, the possibility of death increases; at 83 degrees Fahrenheit cardiac standstill, or fibrillation, becomes common.

A decrease in body temperature is called hypothermia. A person with moderate hypothermia (94 - 84 degrees Fahrenheit) may be conscious, but will be lethargic, apathetic, cool, and pale. The high-risk group for hypothermia is very likely elderly persons who can't afford high heating bills.

Severe hypothermia results when the core temperature drops below 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A person will most likely be unconscious, with cold skin, and rigid muscles. Follow these procedures immediately.

Frostbite is a more common, although less serious result of exposure to cold. Most of us have had a snowball fight at some point in our lives, and may have experienced some of the following signs associated with frostbite: prickling pain, numbness, waxy-white or mottled-blue discoloration, hardness, and impaired movement.

DO the following right away

DO NOT

Unfortunately, these cold-related dangers occur frequently and often go unnoticed or untreated. This results in permanent injuries, amputations, and sometimes loss of life.

If you plan to be outside in cold weather, dress warmly in layers, wear a hat (50 percent of the body's heat loss is through the head), and know when to come in from the cold.