Going Skiing?
Stay Warm and Read up on First Aid!
Staying warm during winter and especially during winter sports
activities can be a challenge. Without some preparation you could
be risking the miseries of hypothermia, frostbite and snow blindness
not to mention altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness is something a lot of people don’t
think of before they jet off for their skiing holiday at high elevations.
If you normally live at sea level, the decrease in oxygen at high
elevations may cause you to feel nauseated. Symptoms can
be flu-like, with dizziness, fatigue, headache and insomnia. Worse
cases can cause diarrhea or vomiting and severe cases, though rare,
can be life-threatening. Take it easy while your body adjusts. Drink
plenty of water and avoid alcohol for the first day or so, plus
avoid heavy meals. Ski resorts in places like Colorado,
New Mexico and parts of Utah will put you at a very high elevation
at the base.
Hypothermia can occur when your body loses heat to the
extent that it can’t reheat itself. Signs of hypothermia
include numbness, shivering, slurred speech, confusion and drowsiness. Those
with a bit more body fat on them will (for once) have an advantage
over the super-slim. Studies have shown that you can lose
approx. 50% of body heat through your head so it’s vital
to wear a hat.
Clothing that maximizes insulation should be chosen. In general,
air that is trapped by clothing will keep the heat in and maintain
your body temperature; fabrics that easily get wet will conduct
heat away from you quickly. Choose clothing that will wick
the sweat away from your body but trap in air to keep you warm. Many
fabrics on the market are specially designed to do this but at
the very least, wear cotton next to your skin and then wool on
top. Avoid wearing items like heavy cotton sweat suits or
jeans which will get wet and stay wet. I’m sure we’ve
all seen the ‘super cool’ skiing in jeans and sweatpants,
and also observed them later on skiing with big wet spots - which
must be really uncomfortable – and definitely doesn’t
look cool.
Remember that your body’s aim is to protect your torso and
vital organs, especially the heart, so as soon as you are exposed
to cold it will take blood away from your extremities to keep your
innards warm. Wearing wind and weatherproof outer garments,
warm socks, footwear and gloves is vital. Mittens are better
than gloves at conserving body heat.
Frostbite is basically the freezing of your body tissues. It
can affect any of your extremities, including cheeks, ears, nose,
toes and fingers, causing anything from mild discomfort to permanent
damage through gangrene – leading to amputation. Anyone
can get frostbite, but some medical conditions and medications
will make you more susceptible. Those with diabetes or circulation
disorders are particularly at risk, plus those taking medications
such as beta blockers. Smoking is also a risk factor as it
affects circulation.
Snowblindness can cause headaches, dizziness and sensitivity
to light. The best prevention is to purchase a good quality
pair of sunglasses or goggles. Don’t go off skiing
with the ones you bought at a discount shop.
Always check the weather reports before you go out, and especially
the wind chill factor. Another tip is to wear a scarf or
ski mask over your mouth and nose so that the air you inhale is
being warmed. We would recommend that you read up on first
aid treatment for the above conditions so that you know what to
do, and also what not to do, for yourself or for others.
If you take measures to ensure you stay as warm and dry as possible,
your entire skiing and boarding experience will be so much more
fun!
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