Re: [Paddlewise] rescuers die/Hypothermia

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 20:07:45 -0400
From: "Jack Fu" <SeaDogJack_at_cablespeed.com>

> Mike,
> How do you fit three people in a sleeping bag?
> Jack


With great difficulty!  Actually two is a possibility if you have a rectangular bag,
but a mummy is awkward.  If two bags zip together (more common today than 
twenty years ago) do that.  Spreading an open sleeping bag over the casualty
and rescuers with thermal sleeping pads underneath will work. Wrapping the 
whole affair with an aluminized mylar blanket (emergency "space" blanket),
tarp, tent or other windproofing is a useful addition.  Like all serious first aid 
in the wilderness, you have to improvise.

If a person is shivering, they won't need this treatment.  If they are practically
an iceberg, the treatment that Matt suggested is probably advised.  This falls
somewhere in-between.

I described the worst I've been through personally - that just required "fuel", a drink
and a bit of warming.  The worst I've ever had to treat was a kayaker that overturned
in icy water, losing his paddle and means of reentry in the process.  We got to him
after he had been in the water for about five minutes.  He was wearing cotton sweat
pants and -shirt, windbreaker & PFD (air temp just above freezing, wind chill below
freezing).  We did an assisted rescue to get him in the kayak and, while I kept him 
steady, the other rescuer towed us to an island.  We rafted over the shore-bound ice 
and got him to shore.  Between the two of us, we rescuers were able to give him a 
complete change of clothes - including _extra_ insulation (and this was a day paddle!).  
We wrapped him in a aluminized tarp and fed him hot tea.  He was shaking so bad he 
spilled half the tea.  An ice canoe was launched from shore to rescue him.  Seeing an 
ice canoe seal land on the ice and come right to shore was something!  

I hope I never have to deal with anything that serious or more again!

Mike




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Received on Thu Apr 12 2001 - 19:40:38 PDT

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