What is hypothermia and how to protect yourself from it in the mountains?

As you get colder, your heart rate becomes irregular, and your body temperature continues to drop, things can become truly dangerous. In winter, in the mountains, it's easy to get into this very dangerous situation of hypothermia. However, there are ways to counteract this risk.

When body temperature drops below 35 degrees...

A person's body temperature should be maintained at 36-37 degrees Celsius. When it drops below 35 degrees Celsius, the risk of hypothermia arises. This is a situation that must be avoided at all costs. Hypothermia can lead to serious damage to internal organs, cerebral hypoxia, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases, cardiac arrest and death. Of course, mild hypothermia isn't that dangerous, but when the body enters a deep stage of hypothermia, reaching a temperature below 28 degrees Celsius, it becomes very dangerous. Treatment for deep hypothermia requires hospitalization and often the introduction of extracorporeal circulation.

Unfortunately, extremely low air temperatures, combined with intense exertion, inappropriate clothing, and a lack of adequate food and drink, can lead to the risk of hypothermia. Therefore, when venturing into the mountains in winter, it's important to prepare for this challenge.

Symptoms of hypothermia

A short-term drop in body temperature isn't particularly dangerous. Of course, you should always protect yourself from hypothermia, but if the body temperature drops only slightly and for a short period of time, nothing serious happens. That's how winter swimming works, after all. Excessive hypothermia, however, can be dangerous. As body temperature drops, additional symptoms of hypothermia appear:

1. The first stage of hypothermia is mild, with strong chills appearing, but if we focus on gradually increasing the body temperature, the situation should return to normal; at this stage, we are primarily bothered by cold hands and feet.
2. in the second stage of hypothermia, the body temperature drops even further: muscle tremors stop, but this is not a good sign if it is accompanied by drowsiness, muscle stiffness, a feeling of confusion and indifference, and speech disorders; at this stage, the heart rate is no longer regular, the chest is cold, and consciousness may be impaired.
3. in the third stage of hypothermia, when the temperature drops below 28℃, the person is already unconscious, their breathing is slow and shallow, and their skin is very cold; the heart beats slowly ; in this state of hypothermia, resuscitation of the hypothermic patient may be necessary.

How can you prevent the danger of hypothermia? How can you prevent it?

If hypothermia does occur, the primary focus should be on restoring body temperature. However, rapid rewarming should be avoided. Of course, soaked clothing should be removed as quickly as possible, and the hypothermic person should be rewarmed gradually, starting with the back, head, and neck. Of course, in cases of severe hypothermia, medical attention is necessary, sometimes even cardiopulmonary bypass. However, this cannot be delayed; action must be taken as quickly as possible.

In low ambient temperatures, the risk of hypothermia is easily present. Winter mountains are very dangerous in this regard, not only due to icy conditions and more challenging climbs, but also the risk of hypothermia. However, the low ambient temperature can be overcome. Above all, you need to dress appropriately. Thermal clothing is essential. This will allow you to maintain a normal body temperature even when it's really cold. Not only the jacket and shoes will be important here, but also the other layers of clothing.

It's important to remember that we shouldn't wear as many layers as possible. The key is to ensure they are properly integrated. The first layer is thermal underwear. It's crucial to wear material that wicks moisture away from the body during exercise and keeps the skin dry. Sweat and overheating are, contrary to popular belief, one of the biggest dangers in low temperatures. In such conditions, it's very easy to get cold and gradually lower your body temperature. The second layer is the insulating layer. It's important to choose the right one for the expected temperature. Fleece and other technical materials have different properties; some provide more warmth, others less. Finally, the outer layer, the jacket. For winter trekking, it should be a hardshell, which will provide maximum protection against frost, wind, rain, and snow. Furthermore, accessories shouldn't be underestimated: a good quality hat, scarf, gloves, and socks can all help protect against the risk of hypothermia.

Of course, clothing isn't everything. You also need warm drinks, high-energy meals, and, finally, proper exercise planning.