Have you ever been so cold that you couldn't stop shivering? Uncontrolled shivering is one of the first signs of hypothermia, which is the lowering of the inner core temperature of the body. Progression of the condition includes:
An increasing lack of coordination
Loss of judgment
Fairly rapid descent into unconsciousness, then death.
An unprepared person may become a victim at temperatures as high as 45° Fahrenheit. In cases affecting hunters or hikers, a combination of four factors are usually present:
Cold (45° or below)
Wetness (caused by rain, snow, immersion, or condensed perspiration)
Wind (chill factor)
A likely victim (a person who is exhausted and unprepared to protect himself or herself).
Good clothing, adequate knowledge, emergency shelter and emergency rations can prevent most fatalities from hypothermia. This is why hypothermia is called the 'Killer of the Unprepared'.
Immediate steps should be taken if you or one of your party shows signs of uncontrolled shivering. Warming of the body and intake of warm liquids (do not take or give alcoholic beverages) and quick energy foods are recommended to restore body functions to normal.
Know your enemy. Never underestimate the power of cold, dampness and wind. Do not overestimate your own strength or that of your party. One individual or mishap can pin you to a location exposed to the elements.
Wind-Chill Factor Chart
Wind-Chill Factor Chart |
|---|
Wind
Speed
(mph) |
Local Temperature (°F) |
32 |
23 |
14 |
5 |
-4 |
-13 |
-22 |
-31 |
-40 |
-49 |
-58 |
Equivalent Temperature (°F) |
Calm | 32 | 23 | 14 | 5 | -4 | -13 | -22 | -31 | -40 | -49 | -58 |
5 | 29 | 20 | 10 | 1 | -9 | -18 | -28 | -37 | -47 | -56 | -65 |
10 | 18 | 7 | -4 | -15 | -26 | -37 | -48 | -59 | -70 | -81 | -92 |
15 | 13 | -1 | -13 | -25 | -37 | -49 | -61 | -73 | -85 | -97 | -109 |
20 | 7 | -6 | -19 | -32 | -44 | -57 | -70 | -83 | -98 | -10 | -121 |
25 | 1 | -10 | -24 | -37 | -50 | -64 | -77 | -90 | -104 | -117 | -130 |
30 | -1 | -13 | -27 | -41 | -54 | -68 | -82 | -97 | -109 | -123 | -137 |
35 | -1 | -15 | -29 | -43 | -57 | -71 | -85 | -99 | -113 | -127 | -142 |
40 | -3 | -17 | -31 | -45 | -59 | -74 | -87 | -102 | -116 | -131 | -145 |
45 | -3 | -18 | -32 | -46 | -61 | -76 | -89 | -104 | -118 | -132 | -147 |
50 | -4 | -18 | -33 | -47 | -62 | -78 | -91 | -105 | -120 | -134 | -148 |
Little danger for a
properly dressed person |
Yellow = Considerable danger
Light blue = Very great danger
of freezing on exposed flesh |
