RE: [Paddlewise] PaddleWise V1 #639

 > -----Original Message-----
 
 
 > 
 > Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 16:16:51 -0700 (PDT)
 > From: Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_intelenet.net>
 > Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] real heat stroke was: When in Rome 
<snip>  
 > 
 > Uhm, how can a dead body suffer hypothermia?  8-}

A dead body cannot SUFFER hypothermia, it can however have a core
temperature below 96.8 F.
 > 
 > I'm not a forensic pathologist but heatstroke is diagnosed 
 > from symptoms.  
 > Permanent damage can occur to organs (such as the brain) as 
 > a result of 
 > heatstroke.  I don't know, but seems an autopsy would reveal 
 > if a victim 
 > wearing a wetsuit or drysuit suffered from heatstroke.

Yes, if the damage is distinguishable and anyone looks for it.  I'm utterly
clueless as to whether a pathologist can make this determination. I cannot
tell if the heat stress I suffered caused me to be brain damaged '-).
 > 
 <snip>
 > 
 > Still, there are plenty of accounts of hypothermia of 
 > paddlers.  Documented.
 > If hyperthermia due to wearing a wetsuit or drysuit was a 
 > real risk, then it 
 > would seem to me there would be plenty of eyewitnesses and 
 > documentation of 
 > that, too.  
 > 
 
If the hyperthermia got to the level where intervention by other paddlers or
medical personel was necessary I would agree.  I agree that the risk of
hyperthermia to the point of needing intervention is much lower than the
risk of hypothermia.  I would also contend that hyperthermia is easier to
diagnose.  As a result reports of hyperthermia 


Dana

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************