First Aid Tips For Winter
Posted in First Aid Articles, on November 21, 2022
Winter is coming and we at Lifeguarding Academy want you to be as prepared as possible to prevent an emergency! In Canada, it is estimated that more than 80 people die a year from over-exposure in the cold1. In this post we will cover how to prevent cold related injuries and conditions.
How to Avoid Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses a large amount of heat, and your core temperature drops so low it stops functioning properly. In Canada, temperatures frequently drop below zero. It is imperative to dress appropriately for the weather, and to stay safe by using a “buddy” system to check in on one another.
How to Avoid Frostbite
Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. There are two stages of frostbite:
Superficial frostbite which includes pain followed by numbness.
Deep frostbite which is a serious medical condition where the victim has no feeling in the area and can lead to tissue death.
It is hard to monitor frostbite on yourself because you can’t always feel or see it. Ensure you have friends around who can watch out for little white spots on your exposed body parts. Pay attention to how you are feeling, if you cannot feel a body part find a warm area to perform a visual check.
During the winter, staying warm, bundling up, and checking in with your friends when you’re out are three great strategies to stay safe! If you are interested in learning more around first aid treatment and prevention check out our other blog posts here.
1Cold Weather, Ottawa Public Health, cited November 21st, 2022
