PADDLER 38
Scenario 4
PADDLER 38
Scenario 4
A novice paddler has fallen into the sea. It is a cold day, and they were already tired when the incident took place. They are shivering when you get them back into their kayak. Immersion hypothermia.
Cold water strips heat from the body much faster than cold air. Immersion hypothermia is a risk throughout the year, especially in open water, surf zones or shaded gorges. It’ s not just a winter hazard. As cold water cools the surface of your body, the cold blood from the skin surface moves to the body’ s core, causing core cooling. This is hypothermia.
The progression of immersion hypothermia is divided into three stages, which typically follow these phases in cold water: l Cold shock response( 0 – 60 seconds): Sudden immersion can cause uncontrolled gasping, panic and hyperventilation. Inhalation while submerged increases the risk of drowning. l Short-term immersion( 1 – 10 minutes): Fine motor skills fade, making it hard to grip or re-enter your boat. Muscle strength drops quickly. l Long-term exposure( 10 + minutes): The core temperature falls. Shivering stops, mental confusion sets in and the casualty may drift into unconsciousness.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID RESPONSE
Short exposure: Strip off wet clothing and replace with dry, insulated layers. Wrap them in dry clothing, sleeping bags, foil blankets or use a group shelter. Offer them food and a warm drink if available. You can warm these casualties quickly.
Prolonged exposure: Remove the casualty from the water horizontally if possible. Wrap them in dry clothing, sleeping bags, foil blankets, or use a group shelter. Insulate underneath( with a foam pad, drybag or rafted boat) to prevent heat loss through conduction. Rewarm passively; avoid direct heat to limbs or rapid handling. Offer warm sugary drinks only if they are alert and able to swallow. If they are unconscious or shivering has stopped, assume severe hypothermia and call for emergency help immediately.
This is the second part of a three-part series covering first aid for paddlesports. In Part 3, we cover how to deal with more specific injuries, some that develop more slowly.
To download a free copy of our Outdoor First Aid manual, follow this link- https:// firstaidtrainingcooperative. co. uk / download-yourfree-digital-first-aid-manual /