Re: [Paddlewise] Hypothermia - died in bed.

From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 23:58:58 -0800
Doug wrote:
>>>>>The doctor speculated that his core temperature was only moderately low
prior to the climb.  Exercising resulted in a sudden temperature drop when
the cooler blood from the extremities reached the heart.  This man was in
his sixties, I believe.<<<<<<<

Obrien asked:
>>>>>The man in Doug's story has made it to his condo, not jus climbed up to
the
embankment.  Could there still be enogh cooler blood in his extremities?<<<

"Afterdrop" is sort of a lay term for something that is actually far more
complicated than cold water from the extremities invading the core due to
exercise. Hypothermia causes chemical changes that mess up the bodies
electrolyte balances (and other things) and this can result in a much
greater likelihood of cardiac arrest (especially upon exertion). Chemical
reactions in the body don't work the same at low temperatures as they do at
normal body temperatures and this results in a cascade of changes to body
chemistry. Anyone who has gotten seriously hypothermic should not be moved
much an gotten medical attention ASAP so they can be treated by
professionals if complications arise before the bodies chemical balances can
be restored.


Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com
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Received on Thu Nov 20 2003 - 23:58:50 PST

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