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News Front Page
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Winter
Storm
Winter Storm
When winter winds howl, you hear warnings about the
wind chill factor. Wind chill shows how cold the wind makes exposed
flesh feel and is a good indication of how much danger you face
of frostbite or hypothermia. The lower the chill, the more you should
bundle up.
How to find wind chill
Draw a line down from the temperature on top. Draw another line
across from wind speed on the left. Where they meet is how cold
it feels.
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Actual Thermometer
Reading
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60 |
55 |
50 |
40 |
30 |
20 |
10 |
0 |
-10 |
-20 |
-30 |
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Wind
Velocity:
Reduced Temperature Due to Wind-Chill
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| 5 mph |
58
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53 |
48 |
37 |
27 |
16 |
6 |
-5 |
-15 |
-26 |
-36 |
| 10 mph |
54 |
50 |
40 |
28 |
16 |
4 |
-9 |
-21 |
-33 |
-46 |
-58 |
| 15 mph |
51 |
46 |
36 |
22 |
9 |
-5 |
-18 |
-36 |
-45 |
-58 |
-72 |
| 20 mph |
47 |
42 |
32 |
18 |
4 |
-10 |
-25 |
-39 |
-53 |
-67 |
-82 |
| 25 mph |
43 |
38 |
30 |
16 |
0 |
-15 |
-29 |
-44 |
-59 |
-74 |
-88 |
| 30 mph |
40 |
34 |
28 |
13 |
-2 |
-18 |
-33 |
-48 |
-63 |
-79 |
-94 |
| 35 mph |
36 |
30 |
27 |
11 |
-4 |
-20 |
-35 |
-49 |
-67 |
-82 |
-98 |
| 40 mph |
32 |
28 |
26 |
10 |
-6 |
-21 |
-37 |
-53 |
-69 |
-85 |
-100
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STAGES OF HYPOTHERMIA
(General Body Cooling)
1. Shivering (a response by the body which generates
heat) does not occur below a body temperature of 90 degrees F.
2. Apathy and decreased muscle function, first fine motor and then
gross motor functions.
3. Decreased level of consciousness with a glassy stare and possible
freezing of the extremities.
4. Decreased vital signs with slow pulse and slow respiration rate.
5. Death.
First Aid Treatment
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Keep the patient dry and remove wet clothing.
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Apply external heat to both sides of the patient
using whatever heat sources are available, including the body
heat of rescuers.
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If the patient is conscious and in a warm place,
have him breathe warm, moist air if available.
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Monitor respiration and pulse and provide artificial
ventilation and CPR as required. No one is dead until warm and
dead.
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Do not give hot liquids by mouth.
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Do not allow patient to exercise.
- Handle the patient gently.
If less than 30 minutes from medical facility:
1.
Prevent further heat loss.
2.
Handle with care.
3.
Administer oxygen. Follow local protocol.
4.
Activate EMS System.
If more than 30 minutes from medical facility:
1. Prevent further heat loss.
2.
Handle with care.
3.
Administer oxygen. Follow the protocol.
4.
Follow re-warming techniques discussed in
this chapter. Follow protocol.
5.
Prepare for CPR.
6.
Activate the EMS System.
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