Emergency Health Services (EHS) – Alberta responds to cold weather emergencies each winter. You can reduce your risk of sustaining a cold weather emergency by taking a few precautions. Dress by wearing warm, insulating layers close to the body covered with wind and waterproof layers on the exterior – cover as much skin as possible. Carry an emergency roadside kit in your vehicle containing extra clothing, blankets, and emergency supplies and ensure your mobile phone is fully charged.
Frostnip
- Frost-nipped skin is extremely cold, but not yet frozen.
- It commonly affects the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, and toes.
- The skin may look red and possibly feel numb to the touch.
- When treated promptly, frostnip usually heals without complication.
- Move to a warm environment and immediately, but gently, re-warm the affected area through skin-to-skin contact (i.e. hand covering tips of ears).
Frostbite
- Frostbite occurs when skin becomes so cold, the skin and underlying tissues freeze.
- Affected skin may look white and waxy and will feel hard to the touch.
- Move to a warm environment immediately and place the affected area in warm, not hot, water until fully re-warmed.
- Seek further medical attention as required.
Hypothermia
- Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature, less than about 35°C (as compared to normal body temperature of about 37°C).
- Early hypothermia may manifest as profound shivering; moderate hypothermic patients may act inappropriately: stumbling, mumbling, and fumbling, as their body temperature continues to drop resulting in severe hypothermia (<30°C).
- Left untreated, severe hypothermia may progress to unconsciousness or death.
- Early recognition and prompt medical attention is key. Don’t forget to protect yourself from the factors that originally lead to the patient’s situation.
- Initiate gentle re-warming as quickly as possible. Remove any wet or constrictive clothing; cover with blankets or sleeping bags. Protect from further heat loss: eliminate contact with cold surfaces, and shield from wind and moisture.
