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COMMUNITy NEWS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2014 17 Emergency Preparedness Program (EPP) H Y P O T H E R M I A Hypothermia can be a killer if it is not treated properly. It occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce. Lowered core body temperature can happen when temperatures are extremely cold or temperatures are relatively warm but conditions are right, i.e., exposure to wind, rain or immersion in water. Hypothermia affects physical and mental abilities of victims. The types of people likely to be affected are: • First responders helping victims during an emergency. • Those who have fallen into water. • The elderly and the homeless. • Those exposed to cold for a long time, such as hunters and hikers. • Alcohol and drug users. • Pets that have been exposed to the cold, water or rain. Symptoms: • Shivering (in extreme hypothermia, shivering stops). • Blue lips, pale skin. • Exhaustion, drowsiness. • Slurred speech, memory loss. • Infants: bright red, cold skin, very low energy. • Do not rub fingers, toes of frostbite limbs. • Do not apply heat to frostbite limbs. • Let frostbite limbs warm slowly. • Seek medical attention as soon as possible. What You Should Do: • Get the person to a warm room, shelter or vehicle. Preventing further heat loss is critical. • Protect the victim from the cold ground (put a barrier between the victim and the cold surface). • Shield the victim from cold and wind. • Remove wet clothing. Wet clothing will continue to lower body temperature. • Take the victim's temperature. Below 95°F is a medical emergency. • Get help immediately. • Do not rub or massage the arms or legs. • Warm the victim by using loose, dry layers of blankets or electric blanket. • Warm the center of the body. • Focus on chest, neck and groin area. • Awake and alert hypothermia victims may have warm non-alcoholic drinks. • Sweet/high carbohydrate snacks to provide energy. • No beverages to an unconscious person. • After the body temperature has increased, keep victim wrapped in a blanket – head and neck included. • Monitor the victim and await medical attention. • Watch for breathing and cardiovascular problems. • Have an Emergency Thermal Blanket in your emergency kit. It is made of durable, insulating Mylar material. It provides maximum warmth by retaining up to 90 percent of your body heat. • If your pet is experiencing hypothermia, take it to your veterinarian as soon as possible. The EPC held its first Table Top Disaster Drill on Oct. 21. Lead by Rick Cook, Beaumont Office of Emergency Services, the participants were given numerous scenarios of what could occur after a devastating 8.4 earthquake and discussed the responses that would be needed by our teams and residents. The EPC will build upon what we learned from this exercise and develop plans to carry out a community-wide drill in the near future. Please access us online at fourseasonsatbeaumont. com. ~ Avi Greene

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