Prevention is Crucial.

The problems which are most likely to occur are related to cold, possibly snowy, weather. Dress appropriately, in layers: wear a hat, warm socks and comfortable boots. Know the signs and remedies for hypothermia, described below.

For a printer-friendly version of this handout, click here. This handout is formatted for double-sided printing, with two copies of the handout on each sheet.

- Guide to Hypothermia -

Risk factors for hypothermia:

Cool, cold, wet, or windy weather. Improper clothing and equipment. Clothes that are tight and impair circulation. Fatigue. Dehydration. Extremes of age. Immobility. Not eating enough. Alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine. Not taking hypothermia seriously.

Highest risk = days when the weather changes a lot, when its cool but not cold, or when people don't anticipate the cold, wet, and/or wind.

Medical conditions that increase risk of hypothermia.

Circulation problems (diabetes or other vascular diseases); endocrine problems, especially hypothyroidism (the endocrine system helps with the body's temperature regulation); hypoglycemia; malnutrition (have less natural insulation); skin problems (can cause increased circulation to the skin which increases heat loss); head trauma (impairs the body's temperature regulation); anyone taking certain psychiatric medications. (talk to a health care professional about these).

To prevent hypothermia:

Dress appropriately. Use layers, with the first layer lightweight or midweight synthetic (no cotton next to skin) that allow moisture to evaporate. Next, one or more thin but warm layers. Then one or more thicker warm layers (be aware that fleece soaks up tear gas and pepper spray). Finish with a windproof and waterproof outer shell. A big black garbage bag is a great back-up poncho. Wear a hat, since you can lose more than half your body's heat from your head. Wear mittens rather than gloves. Have extra layers available in case the weather suddenly turns colder or your clothes get wet.

Wear sturdy shoes with warm socks. A bit of cayenne pepper in your shoes (not inside your socks) can warm feet. Caution: too much cayenne or wet cayenne can cause burns.

Avoid sweating—it makes you colder and increases fluid loss. Strip middle and outer layers as necessary to keep yourself from sweating. To prevent hypothermia it is better to be slightly cold and generating heat than excessively warm and sweating.

Stay dry. Cops have sprayed water on protestors, so be prepared. If you need to get decontaminated from tear gas or pepper spray, cover up with a garbage bag or poncho before your eye flush.

Eat. You need calories to generate body heat. Candied ginger can help you feel warmer if you start to get cold.

Keep well hydrated. Dehydration increases your risk for hypothermia. Urine output is a good measure of your level of hydration � you want lots of urine that is light or clear in color.

The risk of dehydration is the same in cold and hot weather. In hot weather people are more aware that their bodies ared sweating because they can see, taste and feel the sweat. In cold weather sweat is less obvious because it evaporates rapidly or is absorbed by layers of heavy clothing. In addition, simply being out in the cold causes you to pee more, losing more fluids.

Finally, in cold weather people also don't drink as much, because it is inconvenient or they don't feel thirsty. Many people don't get thirsty until they are already dehydrated. Consider pre-hydration. This provides a fluid "cushion" and delays the onset of dehydration. Drink 16 oz. of fluid the evening before, 16 oz. in the morning, and another 16 oz. of fluid an hour before exertion. Then drink as much as possible throughout the activity (ideally 8 oz. of fluid every 20 minutes during heavy activity). Don't drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar (like soda)—these may actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks because these can cause stomach cramps.

Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol reduces your sensation of cold and reduces your ability to deal with getting warm. There have been many cases of "paradoxic undressing" in which an intoxicated person with hypothermia undresses and suffers from severe cold-related illness. Alcohol also increases the blood flow to your skin increasing your heat loss, and decreases your shivering response, reducing your body's heat production.

If you start to get cold take immediate action to get warmer. Don't let things progress to hypothermia. Stay out of the coldest, windiest and wettest weather. Do not sit on metal, concrete or rocks. Get out of the wind whenever you can.

How to detect hypothermia

The symptoms are pretty vague, so keep aware of the weather conditions and how you feel. Consider having a buddy who you check in with every once in a while.

Mild Hypothermia: Shivering - if shivering can be stopped voluntarily, it is mild hypothermia. Can't do complex motor functions with hands but can still walk and talk. Skin is cool due to vasoconstriction. Hands numb. Moderate confusion - if you cannot count backwards from 100, you may be hypothermic.

Moderate Hypothermia: Shivering not under voluntary control. Loss of fine motor control—particularly in hands—can't zip up coat—due to restricted peripheral blood flow. Poor coordination. May have: Dazed consciousness. Slurred speech. Violent shivering. Irrational behaviour—may even undress. Unaware that you are cold. "I don't care" attitude. Flat emotions.

Severe Hypothermia: (Don't let it get this far!): Shivering occurs in waves until shivering finally ceases. Irrational. May seem normal. Progresses to: Can't walk, curls up into fetal position to conserve heat. Muscle rigidity. Skin is pale. Pupils dilate (become big). Pulse rate decreases. Then breathing rate decreases. Then the person looks dead, but is still alive.

Treatment for mild hypothermia (NOT moderate or severe)

Get out of the cold and wind. Go into a restaurant or the lobby of some building. At least find shelter from the wind.

Get warm. Move around, exercise, get your blood warm and flowing. Wrap up in a space blanket (those silver things - better than wool for warming, portable and cheap). Focus on warming the trunk, not extremities. Take a warm shower, use a hairdryer or hot-air hand dryers in public bathrooms, use chemical handwarmers, especially on your neck, chest or groin (where major blood vessels pass - with insulation to prevent burns).

Make sure you are dry. Change out of wet clothes, especially the layer next to you skin.

Drink lots of liquids, especially warm (not hot) drinks.

Eat. Start with simple carbohydrates such as candy, juice and chocolate and work up to more complex foods.

You should not return to the cold until your energy and fluid reserves have been replenished and you feel back to normal.

Treatment of moderate and severe hypothermia:

Get the person out of the weather and seek medical attention immediately. Don't try exercise or vigorous rewarming.

(Chicago Action Medical wishes to thank our friends and comrades from the Boston Area Liberation Medic (BALM) Squad for assembling this guide.)

About Chicago Action Medical - CAM

Chicago Action Medical is a collective of local volunteers who have been trained to provide basic first aid and emergency care to people on the streets at rallies, demonstrations, marches, and at sites of civil disobedience or direct action — places where regular emergency medical services often will not go. CAM street medics may also staff a stationary or mobile clinic at larger demonstrations and other gatherings, and provide aftercare to event participants.

The CAM collective also offers education in health and safety issues to activists, and provides regualr training for those interested in becoming street or affinity group medics.

You can become a street medic by attending and completing a street medic training program and then by practicing your skills at progressive actions along with other street medics. For more info, email CAM at soph@riseup.net

Related Articles about Street Medics:

The Street Medics by Matt Bivens, The Nation Magazine.

Medic! by Michael Blanding, Boston Phoenix.

Action Medic Links:

Boston Area Liberation Medic (BALM) Squad - Boston, MA street medic collective which provides medical coverage for progressive actions in Boston and beyond. The BALM Squad also facilitates health and safety workshops and full street medic training courses, and their website offers an excellent online library with useful clinical and tactical information for activists. Links to some of this information are posted below.

Black Cross Health Collective - Portland, OR street medic collective site, and another good resource for street medic info.

Good Stuff Every Activist Should Know:

Staying Healthy for Civil Disobdience Actions - A list of things to consider when preparing to take part in civil disobedience actions or direct action with a high risk of arrest.

Street Medic's Guide to Hypothermia - A list of the causes, warning signs, preventive measures, and basic treatment for hypothermia. A must-read before attending cold-weather protests!

IT'S HOT! IT'S HUMID! IT'S SUNNY! Information on heat and sun-related illnesses (PDF file) - Information about symptoms and treatment of dehydration, sunburn, heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, plus tips for prevention and information about fluid replacement. PDF format.

Spanish Phrase Book for First-Aid Trained Activists (PDF file) - A small Spanish phrase book hat contains translations of many common street medic phrases, words for parts of the body, and other basic Spanish vocabulary words. An excellent resource by coqui for non-Spanish speakers.