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.

• Shivering (a response by the body which generates heat) does not occur below a body temperature of 90 degrees F.
• Apathy and decreased muscle function, first fine motor and then gross motor functions.
• Decreased level of consciousness with a glassy stare and possible freezing of the extremities.
• Decreased vital signs with slow pulse and slow respiration rate.
• Death.

• Keep the patient dry and remove wet clothing.
• Apply external heat to both sides of the patient using whatever heat sources are available, including the body heat of rescuers.
• If the patient is conscious and in a warm place, have him breathe warm, moist air if available.
• Monitor respiration and pulse and provide artificial ventilation and CPR as required. No one is dead until warm and dead.
• Do not give hot liquids by mouth.
• Do not allow patient to exercise.
• Handle the patient gently.
• If less than 30 minutes from medical facility:
  • Prevent further heat loss.
  • Handle with care.
  • Administer oxygen. Follow local protocol.
  • Activate EMS System.
• If more than 30 minutes from medical facility:
  • Prevent further heat loss.
  • Handle with care.
  • Administer oxygen. Follow the protocol.
  • Follow re-warming techniques discussed in this chapter. Follow protocol.
  • Prepare for CPR.
  • Activate the EMS System.