Winter and Hypothermia

Winter is here guys and girls, so......

Although winter is a great time because of the snow, you have to remember that the human body is easily affected by changes in temperatures.
Although all of us will wrap warm, you have to remember that children and older people are more likely to suffer the effects of the cold weather. Age UK estimates that up to 25,000 older people could die because of the cold weather.

What effect does a drop in temperature have on my body?

Your body temperature is around about 37^oC. The danger is that if your temperature drops by just one degree Celsius, it can have a detrimental effect on your body.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so instead of me explaining the effects see the picture below;

How do I know that someone is suffering from hypothermia?

The symptoms are:

• Shivering and cold skin
• Disorientation (confused as to where they are)
• Apathy or irrational behaviour, sometimes they can also be aggressive
• Impaired consciousness or being lethargic (sleepy or drowsy)
• Slow and shallow breathing
• Slow pulse which may gradually get weaker 

In some cases due to the slow pulse and slow breathing rate, the heart may stop.

So how do I treat them?

If they have been outside, replace their wet clothes with dry clothes.  If the person is able to get into a bath unaided, then run a bath at approximately 40^oC. Then put them into a bed and wrap them up. Give them hot drinks and high energy food such as chocolate (chocolate is good for you in moderation).

Should I call an ambulance?

There are some people who will call 999 for the randomest reasons, that's probably why the London Ambulance Service have this on their windows....

Call 999 if:

• They are in shock 
• They have serve difficulty in breathing (e.g are they wheezy?)
• They are unconscious
• They are not breathing and have no pulse

 So this winter, stay warm, drink lots of hot drinks, watch older people and children and have FUN!

The Effect and Consequences of Mixing Alcohol and Drugs

It's Halloween in 3 days! Although Halloween is a fun day with people going trick or treating, parties,raves and clubbing, things can and do go wrong often disastrously when there's alcohol or drugs involved.

Granted alcohol doesn't do much in moderation,but when you're drunk, you're unable to quickly or logically. However do have some element of control, albeit it minimal amounts, but everything changes if you've also taken drugs.

NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL AND TAKE DRUGS!
IT CAN BE FATAL!

Drugs affect you in different ways depending on what you've taken, how much of it, and it also depends on if the drug itself is impure (e.g. ecstasy is sometimes cut with anything from LSD to caffeine). When you mix it with alcohol,it does a lot of damage to your system.Some people incorrectly believe that because alcohol is a depressant if you take something that it designed to give you lots of energy (e.g. MDMA), it will make you normal and you will be fine....HELL NO!

It will affect your nervous system in such a way that you will be unable to speak coherently,control your body (you will have difficulty just walking or standing) or make competent decisions. And this is when the trouble starts.

What happens to the body and in effect me when I drink and take drugs?

First you may experience changes in body temperature (either an increase or a decrease), then you may fell nausea, disorientated or dizzy. At this stage, your body is severely struggling to cope with the toxins in your body (caused by the alcohol) and the drugs you've taken. at this point, you should leave the area you are in, and alert a friend and call 999.
Should you remain in that area and dismiss the symptoms, you may become unconscious. Now you are in severe danger. CALL 999 NOW!  If you're curled up or if you're head is tilted forward, your airway is constricted which makes it difficult for you to breathe. Now your oxygen levels start to decrease, oxygen begins to be diverted mainly to the vital organs. When the oxygen levels below a certain level in the brain, you become hypoxiated. Now there is an increased chance of you slipping into a coma. After this stage, your vital systems begin to shut down, you stop breathing and your heart stops beating. Once all your vital sign cease, you are dead.

What do I do when they become unconscious?

As soon as they become unconscious, first try to wake up by issuing commands such "Open your eyes". If they do not responds, then place them in the recovery position.  Watch the video below by Clive James ( an SJA member) to learn how to put someone into the recovery position.

How To Put Someone In The Recovery Position

Okay, I've put them in the recovery position, what do I do now?

Now dial 999 and request an ambulance, it is imperative that you stay calm and speak clearly. The main information that the ambulance service require are:

• Status - e.g. unconscious and breathing/ unconscious and not breathing
• Age and gender - e.g. 19 year old female
• What the has person taken - e.g. 3 pints of beer and MDMA
• Location (and any landmarks) - e.g. 15 recovery road, SW18 7TX, the house has a drive

If possible get someone to stand outside of the location, so that the ambulance knows where the incident is.

IMPORTANT - ALWAYS TELL THE PARAMEDICS,NURSES,DOCTORS EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE TAKEN OR DRUNK.
This means you can be treated more effectively, and they will be able to assist you more efficiently.

Also remember its not only you that is affected, your friends, family or however is beside you at that time can be affected. When I was working at Notting Hill carnival, I was helping the friend or family member who was with the patient by calming them down and explaining to them what was going on as it can be very worrying and scary for them.

If you put someone in the recovery position and give the information required to the ambulance crew, then the chances of the person surviving are greatly increased.

I think this post has got too much of a deathly tone so to cheer you up, follow the link for some great tasting halloween food!
http://keytonutrition.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/halloween-kids.html

Stay safe on Halloween, don't drink and take drugs and most importantly HAVE FUN!