As the season change and the pressure starts to drop we see the inevitable. Winter is Coming! The winter wonderland season may be the happiest time of the year, but it also brings real dangers to be aware of. According to the US Army public Health Center, frostbite and hypothermia are the most common cold weather related injuries.
As you get prepared for the game on Sunday or working outside for long periods of time, make sure you are getting properly dressed as you’re going to be out in the elements for several hours.
Frostbite occurs when the tissue temperature falls below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The symptoms of frostbite are numbness of tissue, blisters and swelling, pale and/or yellowish skin, frozen skin that is hard to the touch and rebound pain after warming tissue. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The symptoms of hypothermia include continuous shivering, decrease muscle and nerve conductivity, confusion, drowsiness, low blood pressure and slurred speech.
Don’t go selling those winter game tickets quite yet. Here are some tips on how to stay warm.
12 tips for how to stay warm when outside for long periods of time
Wool socks, warm boots, and gloves or mittens are a must. As will doubling up on socks, try two layers on your hands for real cold days.
- Wear a hat! Make sure it covers your ears.
- Dress in layers to keep the cold out.
- Wear flannel- lined jeans.
- Don’t forget a thermos with hot chocolate.
- At ball games, walk to the concessions stand- with any luck the area is heated and the movement will do you good.
- A blanket will warm up the legs.
- Protect your face with a scarf.
- Brink Kleenex. (They wont make your warmer but at least more comfortable.)
- Hand and foot warmers will help some.
- Keep the blood pumping by walking around and moving the body. Exercise warms up the body and hopefully helps your team.
By: Jacob Maday
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6974036
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00193
http://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/fans-stay-warm-football-games/
https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/cip/Pages/ColdCasualtiesInjuries.aspx