If you're shaking too hard to pitch your tent, how are you going to change into a dry set of clothes? Or warm up fluids and food to quickly consume? If you're on a solo day hike, don't leave home without looking at weather forecasts.
If you know the conditions are iffy, rethink your trip or be sure you have the right gear in your pack. Trail companions buy you a bit of breathing room, because hopefully everyone is checking in with each other if a cold wind whips up, or a downpour occurs.
Avoid the potential for further trouble - falling into water or off slippery surfaces, tripping on tree roots and face planting, anything that would escalate the situation. Once signs and symptoms of hypothermia are present, here's a plan of action. NOTE: This is not medical advice, just practical ideas.
You'll have to modify these steps to fit the precise conditions and gear availability. If you're carrying a personal locator beacon , deploy it. Don't lose hope, and don't give up, if your hiking buddy becomes combative and unresponsive. Keep trying. Any of the warming attempts above are not going to work, and may make things worse by pulling cold blood into internal organs.
Do you know how to take a pulse measurement? No pulse means it's time to start rescue breathing. Don't lose hope while waiting for help. Low body temperature can be reversed. You just need to buy some time until help arrives. I hope I've grabbed your attention, and given you the facts you need to spot, and deal with, hiking hypothermia. Thanks for taking the time to get educated about how to avoid hypothermia , too.
One more thing: If you're stuck overnight in the outdoors while awaiting rescue or medical help, pull your survival kit out of your backpack to make the wait easier. These water crossing safety tips encourage you to plan ahead, stay in the moment, and make smart decisions when faced with how to ford a river or stream.
The weather is great, your boots are itching for the trail, but your hiking buddy is out of town? Always carry fire making materials somewhere on your body.
I keep a small pouch in my pocket at all times that has the following items:. Take short breaks while hiking in cool weather. The longer you are sedentary, the quicker hypothermia can sneak up on you. Finally, remember that hypothermia can strike in any season. Do not allow yourself to develop a false sense of security at any point in the year. I host biweekly talks on various safety topics and the group is incredibly friendly and supportive to newbie hikers.
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You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary. Short breaks : The longer you stop the colder you become. When the weather turns nasty, keep breaks short and to a minimum.
If you are taking a longer break, put on an extra layer or two. Food : During the day eat high-energy snacks at regular intervals. Before going to bed, your evening meal should emphasize fats and proteins, which are processed slower by your digestive system, thereby keeping you warmer during the night. Hydration : When conditions are cold and the sun is no where to be seen, hikers often forget to drink enough water.
This is a mistake. If you are dehydrated you are more susceptible to hypothermia see Hydration for details. The onset of hypothermia is typically gradual and the victim is often unaware that they require emergency medical treatment. Physical and mental capabilities are progressively diminished, therefore the key to successfully treating hypothermia is early recognition. If you are hiking in a group, be alert to any changes in the demeanour of your trekking mates.
If you are hiking solo, you need to be even more vigilant in regards to monitoring your own physical and mental state. If you notice changes, take preventative measures sooner rather than later. Severe cases of hypothermia i. In treating hypothermia the objective is to prevent further heat loss and slowly rewarm the patient.
Note that severe hypothermia is a potentially fatal medical condition. In such cases, every possible effort should be made to contact an emergency response team. To treat someone with hypothermia take the following steps:. Two hours after leaving that camp, we reached a creek and drank copiously. Prioritizing shelter and warmth had been the right call. And I was amazed at how juicy dried mangoes taste when you have a raging thirst.
It can happen quickly, or it can sneak up on you slowly. Hypothermia can present a minor obstacle if recognized and addressed soon, or escalate into an emergency and even prove fatal.
Please share your own trips, tricks, or thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of this story. Click on any photo to read about that trip. Still, hypothermia poses a significant risk to backpackers, dayhikers, climbers, and others in the backcountry.
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