Recently, South Africa experienced a heartbreaking tragedy when two people lost their lives to hypothermia after a snowstorm stranded nearly 1 823 vehicles on the N3 highway in KwaZulu-Natal. The severe weather event underscores the deadly risks of extreme cold and forces us to question how prepared we are to handle nature’s icy surprises.
To shed light on this condition, Limpopo-based medical doctor Dr Muelelwa Mmbi explains the dangers and the necessary precautions to prevent hypothermia.
Mmbi says, “Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature less than 35 degrees Celsius.”
What causes hypothermia
He explains that the primary cause of hypothermia is exposure to extremely low temperatures. He says this exposure can occur in various situations, including adverse weather conditions, drowning, or even as a result of alcohol or substance abuse.
“It is often called accidental hypothermia when the cause is due to environmental exposure to temperatures less than 35 degrees Celsius.
“The most common symptom of accidental hypothermia is shivering, which occurs in the first stage of hypothermia, and that should be a warning sign.”
Dr Muelelwa Mmbi
“As it progresses, one can experience cognitive impairment, unclear speech, frequent urination, pale skin, shallow breathing, and the most severe coma, which will eventually lead to death.”
Prepare and prevent
Mmbi advises that preventing hypothermia requires taking proactive measures, especially during unexpected weather changes or exposure to cold environments.
“The main way to prevent hypothermia is by keeping yourself warm, which can be achieved by dressing in layers, ensuring the room you’re in is warm, and changing wet clothes to dry ones in case of exposure to cold water.
“Other preventative tips include keeping active and drinking warm fluids to maintain body temperature. Even in case of unexpected weather changes, the above-mentioned would still be the things that could save your life.”
Dr Muelelwa Mmbi
The Mayo Clinic advises seeking immediate medical attention for anyone who appears to have hypothermia.
Until medical help is available, they suggest following these first-aid guidelines for hypothermia:
- When helping someone with hypothermia, handle them gently. Only move the person as much as is necessary.
- Move the person out of the cold to a warm, dry location if possible.
- If the person is wearing wet clothing, remove it.
- Use layers of dry blankets or coats to warm the person.
- Insulate the person’s body from the cold ground.
- Monitor breathing.
- Supply warm beverages.
- Use warm, dry compressions. Apply the compresses only to the neck, chest wall, or groin.
- Don’t apply direct heat.
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