During a cold wave
Eat regularly and drink large quantities of fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol. Contrary to the popular belief,
alcohol will not keep you warm - it speeds up body heat loss. Get proper rest, as fatigue will make you more vulnerable, and
eat nutritious food. It is recommended to exercice moderately to avoid exhaustion.
remain informed by listening to the radio or television for weather reports and emergency information.
Whenever you go out, cover your mouth to protect your lungs from cold air. At night, use extra blankets:
hypothermia can develop during sleep.
What are the risks associated to extreme cold?
There are two main risks to take into account: frostbites and hypothermia.
Frostbite is a freezing of the skin; it is characterized by a loss of feeling and white or pale appearance
in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. It is recommended to seek emergency care; however, if
necessary, you can treat frostbites by bringing the victim indoor and applying warm towels to the affected area for twenty minutes.
Hot water must not be used, and the area must not be rubbed. If you see blisters, leave them intact. Offer the victim warm beverages,
but no alcohol, and keep the affected area raised. During the re-warming, the frostbite will become painful as circulation
resumes and blisters will probably form within a day.
The main symptoms of hypothermia are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech,
drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. Hypothermia is a medical emergency: if you detect these symptoms, warn medical emergency
services immediately. While waiting for their intervention, get the victim to a warm location, remove any wet clothing,
put him in dry clothing and wrap his entire body in a blanket. Your can also give him warm, non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated
beverages if he is conscious. Do not apply a heating pad or heating blanket, and do not rub the victim's arms and legs.
