Question

You are out for an early spring morning jog in the local park when you come across a man in his mid-forties ly-ing on a park bench who appears to be unresponsive. As you approach him, you notice his skin is extremely pale with cyanosis to his face and neck, and his breathing is extremely shallow and slow. He does not respond when you shout at him. He is dressed lightly in a tee shirt and cotton pants with shoes and no socks. You also find a bottle of wine next to the bench. The overnight temperature was in the high fifties. His radial pulse is very weak and slow. His skin is very cold and stiff to the touch.

1. What condition do you suspect the victim is experiencing?

2. What signs and symptoms would make you suspect the condition?

3. What first aid would you provide to the victim, AND WHY WOULD YOU PREFORM THIS TYPE OF CARE ON THE VICTIM?

Answer 1

1. Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency causing drop in body temperature when exposed to cold temperatures for long.The body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).

2. Unresponsive.

Cyanosis.

Shallow breathing.

Weak radial pulse.

3. FIRST AID TO THE VICTIM:

• Remove shoes.
• Protect the person, from further heat loss with warm clothes and blanket.
• Move him to a warm place as soon as possible.
• Take the temperature of the person if thermometer is available.
• Don't try to give fluids as he is unconsious.
• Seek immediate medical attention

In this case,hypothermia occured due to heat loss for a prolonged period as he didn't had enough dry and warm clothing for protection.So the further heat loss should be avoided by providing warmth.So the above mentioned first aid is very much important to prevent further complication.