Danger Signs of Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a risk for hundreds of homeless men and women each winter when Seattle turns wet and cold. Many homeless individuals sleep in doorways, under bridges and in parking lots without warm clothing or bedding.

Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature falls below 95 degrees. Symptoms include slurred speech, loss of coordination, confusion, apathy, and irrational behavior.

Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim:

• Dress warmly
• Stay dry
• Protect yourself from the wind
• Eat and drink to prevent dehydration
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products, since these can aggravate the condition
• Don’t be fooled by temperatures outside. It doesn’t have to be freezing for you to develop hypothermia

If someone you know or someone you see sleeping on the streets appears to be suffering from hypothermia, do the following:

1. Call for help immediately
2. Remove the person from the cold and wind. Cover the head and neck, and insulate from the cold ground
3. As soon as possible, move the person to a warm room and cover them with blankets
4. Apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall, armpits and groin
5. If the victim is alert, give him or her warm liquids to drink
6. Stay with the person until medical help arrives

The Mission’s Rescue Van goes out on a regular basis to provide warm blankets and food to those on the streets and encourages them to get out of the cold. If you would like to help provide blankets and food for our communities homeless, click here. For more information on the Rescue Van, contact Gary Kohfield at 206.622.5517 x110.

SOURCE: http://www.discoveryhealth.com