Not only is high body temperature (heatstroke) the dangerous thing that may lead to a person’s death and requires first aid, but hypothermia (cold pinch) may be more dangerous and more deadly, and therefore knowing the necessary procedures to deal with it may save a person’s life And pushes him fatal frostbite.
Injuries caused by the cold are a major problem in cold regions of the world such as Canada, Russia and Antarctica, and for some professions such as fishermen in cold regions.
However, this problem has become evident in our Arab world in particular as a result of the humanitarian situation experienced by the refugees, as they do not find shelter and shelter from the cold, and they lack adequate heating, which puts the lives of thousands of them, and perhaps more, in the midst of the storm.
• Damages that may lead to death:
Low temperature leads to nerve and muscle damage, freezing of the fingers, ear pinna, and even the cornea of the eye. It may also lead to cell death (gangrene), and in the end it may lead to heart failure and death of the injured person.
First aid for a cold is divided into two groups:
The first relates to injuries resulting from hypothermia or freezing of the extremities, which usually leads to redness, blisters and pain in the limb, and freezing or stopping of blood flow in severe cases.
The second is related to hypothermia, which may lead to death.
• First aid for frozen and non-frozen injuries:
• Seek medical help immediately.
• Move the casualty to a warm place (if possible, of course).
• Remove any clothes or jewelry that put pressure on the body and impede the movement of blood, in order to ensure that the blood reaches the limb, which helps to raise its temperature, and the cessation of blood supply to the affected organ leads to gangrene.
• Cover the affected area with sterile gauze.
• Put sterile gauze between the fingers to absorb moisture and prevent them from sticking together due to freezing.
• Never scratch or rub the frozen part or organ, as this will break the solid ice crystals, leading to damage to the tissue.
• Do not place a dry heat source on the frozen area of the member, such as the heat of a heater.
• Work to prevent further hypothermia of the patient.
• Do not warm the injured member at the site, as the arrival of the ambulance or the transfer of the injured person may be delayed, which means that the injured member may freeze again after being warmed. Heating the member and then freezing it again leads to more tissue damage.
• Do not allow the patient to smoke.
• First aid in case of hypothermia:
• Seek medical help immediately.
• Remove from the injured any wet and wet clothes.
• Cover the casualty’s head, but do not cover his face, as you do not want to suffocate him.
• Wrap the victim in blankets to help the body temperature rise gradually.
• Hugging the injured person may help to gradually raise his body temperature.
• If the person is conscious and can swallow, you can give him a warm drink containing sugar to help raise his body temperature, but do not give him any drink that contains caffeine (coffee) or alcohol (wine).
• Never try to warm the injured person on the site using hot water, for example, or electric blankets. You must maintain his temperature and raise it gradually, and secure his transfer to the hospital or care center as soon as possible.
• If the person’s breathing has stopped, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
