Common Mistakes to Avoid During Cold Emergencies

Many traditional cold weather treatments can actually cause more harm. Understanding what NOT to do is crucial.

Critical Mistakes:

1. Rubbing Frostbitten Areas

- Ice crystals damage cells like glass - Rubbing causes more tissue damage - Can break blisters - Increases infection risk - Gentle handling only

2. Using Direct Heat

- Hot water burns numb tissue - Fires can cause burns - Heating pads dangerous - Car heaters too hot - Gradual rewarming safer

3. Giving Alcohol

- Vasodilation increases heat loss - Impairs shivering - Affects judgment - Dehydrates - Can trigger cardiac issues

4. Walking on Thawed Feet

- Causes severe tissue damage - Better to walk on frozen feet to safety - Once thawed, no weight bearing - Refreezing catastrophic - Evacuation required

DO vs. DON'T Comparison List:

| DO | DON'T | |---|---| | Handle hypothermic patients gently | Rub or massage cold skin | | Rewarm gradually | Use direct heat sources | | Insulate entire body | Focus only on extremities | | Give warm, sweet drinks if alert | Give alcohol or caffeine | | Check pulse for 60 seconds | Assume death in cold patient | | Protect from wind/wet | Leave in wet clothes | | Warm core first | Warm extremities first | | Continue CPR until warm | Stop CPR in cold patient |

Dangerous Treatment Myths:

"Rub Snow on Frostbite"

- Causes more tissue damage - Old wives' tale - Ice crystals act like glass - Increases injury - Never use snow/ice

"Alcohol Warms You Up"

- Actually increases heat loss - Dilates surface blood vessels - Impairs judgment - Prevents shivering - Potentially fatal mistake

"Put Them in Hot Bath"

- Can trigger cardiac arrest - Afterdrop phenomenon - Burns numb tissue - Too rapid rewarming - Gradual is safer