Tips on Hypothermia

[johnmbowen 10]

Here is an interesting and useful web listing concerning paddling and hypothermia.

 

http://www.capital.net/com/nckayak/nck_safety_p4.htm

 

 

[le Voyageur 72]

Good site. Words to live by.....

 

As a side note, I've never liked the river classification system! Too subjective and fails to take in consideration water temps. Consider which is more dangerous, a pounding CIII @ 70 degs, or a tech CII with snow melt temps....

[johnmbowen 10]

Good Point!!

 

Getting dumped on any trip is dangerous, especially in cold water. I liked your post about first aid as well. We should all get on board to learn as much as possible regarding consequences of failure with Scouts in the wilderness.

 

Any more neat tips on Hypothermia, or caring for it?

[eisely 13]

While hypothermia is an obvious risk in paddling in cold water, and in snow camping, the risk is not fully appreciated in other settings. People get into trouble with this even in simple day hikes when they caught in the rain too far from help without appropriate gear. The ambient air temperature does not have to be below freezing for hypothermia to be a risk.

 

Be Prepared!

[johnmbowen 10]

Here is another good link for hypothermia which might be of use.

 

http://www.win.net/~gws/gaelwolf/hpothrm.htm