by evaporation from our skin. through respiration and evaporation can Faced with someone’s severe
The greatest heat loss is by be reduced simply by slowing down. hypothermia in the back country you
conduction. Think of it this way, if you When the chips are down, remember: have a tough decision: make camp
are sitting or lying on the ground, your “You sweat, you die.” and send for help, or try and carry the
body is trying to heat the entire planet – Hypothermia can be mild, moderate person out. Carrying someone through
and losing. Anything that will keep you or severe, depending on the core body the woods on a real litter, a travois or
off the ground, like tree branches or a temperature. In the woods, that can’t an improvised stretcher, requires a
backpack, will help conserve body heat. be measured, but there are rough and platoon. The books say 18-20 people are
The wind robs us of heat through ready indicators. If the person is still needed to carry someone any distance,
convection. You will instantly feel conscious, shivering and able to talk, including a leader to break trail and
warmer if you simply pull a hood up on you’re dealing with something that can someone to monitor the casualty. You
a cold windy day, or feel the difference be relatively easily handled. Preventing don’t want this dilemma.
if you step behind an evergreen tree or further heat loss with shelter; dry clothes Think about preventing hypothermia.
out of the wind in a small hollow. A dry or a sleeping bag, rest, a warm drink, a Recognize it if it happens and know
spot at the base of a tree or a hole in a fire and reassurance – that will probably what to do about it. If you are lost in
drift of snow can provide enough shelter do the trick. the woods, stay put, keep warm and dry
to survive. If someone is no longer shivering and wait for help to arrive. Even a plastic
Swimmers, canoeists and rain-soaked and either lethargic or unconscious, garbage bag can serve as an emergency
hikers know that water steals heat you are dealing with severe, life- shelter – if you have one in your pack.
many times faster than air at the same threatening hypothermia. Get the The Scouts say, “Be prepared.” They
temperature. When the ice breaks, or person to advanced medical aid quickly, got it right.
you just fall into water, hypothermia but be careful! If you pull the person gerry godsoe’s outdoor experience
cripples your ability to get out of the to their feet and make them walk, the includes Scouting, whitewater canoeing
water. You can drown. cold blood in their limbs may flow to and camping. He’s an instructor with the
Proper clothing stops radiation heat the core and cause heart fibrillation to Ottawa Y Canoe Camping Club and a
loss. The three-layer principle is critical: the point that the heart will falter and search manager with Search and Rescue
an inner layer to wick away moisture, a may stop altogether. Keep any severely global 1 www.sarglobal1.ca. and he’s
middle laoutdoor_ad:Layoutyer for insulation, and an out1 11/20/09 3:38er PMhypotPagehermic person pr1 one and avoid been lost in the woods.
layer to stop the wind and rain. Heat loss jostling to reduce this risk.
IT’S TIME TO SWITCH GEAR.
We’ll equip you with everything you
need this winter to have a great
time outdoors!
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1960 Scott St., Ottawa, ON
tel:613.722.4229
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www.trailhead.ca starthere.goanywhere.
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o credit
Pho
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca OTTAWA magazine fall/winter 2009/2010 11
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