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FIRST AID FOR FROSTBITES
Most
often, frostbite affects the toes, feet, fingers, earlobes,
chin, and tip of the nose. These body parts are often left
uncovered and can freeze quickly.Frostbite can happen when
temperatures drop below freezing, but wind chill speeds
up heat loss and can add to the risk. Frostbite can set
in very slowly - or very quickly. This will depend on how
long the skin is exposed to the cold and how cold and windy
it is.
PREVENTION
Frostbite can easily be prevented. Here are some ways to
keep warm if you expect to spend any length of time in the
cold:
Layer your clothing. Many layers of thin clothing are warmer
than one bulky layer. Air spaces trap body warmth close
to the skin and insulate the body against the cold. Wear
two or three pairs of sock instead of one heavy pair, for
example.
Don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Alcohol causes
blood to lose heat quickly. Smoking slows down blood circulation
to the extremities.
Stay indoors as much as possible when it is very cold and
windy.
FIRST
AID
CALL
IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE!
While
waiting for emergency assistance:
Get
victim out of the cold and into a warm place.
Loosen or remove wet and/or tight clothing. Remove jewelry.
Don't rub the area with snow or soak it in cold water.
Warm the affected area by soaking in a tub of warm water
(101 degrees F to 104 degrees F) and an antiseptic solution.
Stop when the affected area becomes red, not when sensation
returns. (This should take about 45 minutes. If done too
rapidly, thawing can be painful and blisters may develop.)
If warm water is not available, cover victim with blankets,
coats, sweaters, etc. or place the frostbitten extremity
in a warm body area such as in an armpit or on the abdomen.
Keep exposed area elevated, but protected.
Never rub or massage a frostbitten area.
Protect exposed area from the cold. It is more sensitive
to reinjury.
Don't break blisters.
If
no heartbeat and the person is not breathing, do CPR.
If there is a heartbeat, but the person is not breathing,
immediately start rescue breathing.
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