58 —- Wednesday, November 21 . -a silent EVERY YEAR in B.C., hypothermia traps prepared outdoorspeople in danger uf death. un- Hypothermia, or lowering of the body core temperature, can turn an outdoors adventure into a deadly situation. The Canadian Red Cross urges all outdoor enthusiasts to learn about the prevention, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia, the quiet kiiler. “The best way to treat hypothermia is to prevent it from happening in the first place,’’ said Steve Bor- thwick, chairman of the Red Cross Water Safety Committee. “Listen to weather reports, and be prepared for the worst conditions possible. Check your map, know your terrain, and allow enough time to get back safely before dusk. Tell someone where you’re going and tell them when you're back. Above all,’’ stressed Borthwick, ‘‘Never go alone.”’ Clething is your first line of defence against hypothermia. Prepare for the worst. Dress in layers, wear wool or poiypropyline, and take rain gear and dry clothes. Wear a wool hat; 10 per cent of your body heat is lost from your head. Insulate all major heat loss areas: head, neck, chest and groin. “Use common sense and knowiedge to protect yourself and your group,’ said Borthwick. ‘‘Stop frequently for high-energy snacks and check all members of the group for signs of exposure or fa- tigue.”’ Early signs can be as simple as fatigue, and can easily be ignored. ‘‘Tragically, peopie have died cf 1990 - North Shore News exposure without once complaining of the cold,” stressed Borthwick. Indeed most hypothermia accidents happen when winter temperatures are moderate, near or just below freezing. “Watch for carly symptoms: shivering, stumbling, weariness. This is the cue to stop, put on more clothes, seck shelter, build a fire, eat a snack and have a warm sweet drink.”’ Unchecked, hypothermia symptoms can progress to blurred vision, slurred speech, memory lapse, un- controllable shivering, and worst of all, poor judg- ment. ‘At this dangerous stage, take charge of the victim immediately,’’ he says. Borthwick warned it is vital to warm the victim right away; heading for home could bring help too late. Untreated, the victim can slip into uncon- sciousness, the body core can drop even lower, and heart failure can follow. Find shelter, tight a fire, remove wet clothing and replace with dry layers. Provide a warm drink. “There are two things not to do,’’ warned Ber- thwick. ‘Alcoholic drinks prevent the victim from warming up, and rubbing the skin draws blood away from the core where it is most needed."* In serious cases, huddle with the victim in a sleep- ing bag to share your body heat. Direct body contact is best, skin to skin, especially to the chest and neck. Obtain medical help as soon us possible. The Red Cross wishes you safe adventures in B.C.’s fabulous outdoors. Enjoy the special beauy winter can bring, but always be prepared against hypothermia, the quiet killer. NEWS photo Terry Peters WINTER SAFETY should be on skiers’ and hikers’ minds when planning an outing — dress warmly, carry food, use common sense and, above all, stay on marked trails. Above, the North Shore Rescue Team embarks on a hunt for a missing ski party. Installation & Hot Wax | Elan Softite Skis Look GP Bindings installation Hot Wax CLOTHING Yo PRICE ACER A ENIAC TEPER NT IT HE pitrenensireneniien tiny tiaieymnaniamnicnyarianeitnaiminain ACCESSORIES 30% OFF Stretch Pants far the whole family : $9900