Читать книгу Carolina Whitewater. A Paddler's Guide to the Western Carolinas онлайн

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One should definitely carry dry clothing in a waterproof bag on all winter trips and change into it if one gets wet. Quite often you must insist that the victim change clothing and you must render assistance in changing because of his or her lack of coordination. The victim more than likely will be totally unaware of his poor reactions.

Symptoms of exposure occur generally as follows: uncontrollable shivering; vague, slow, slurred speech; memory lapses; slowed reactions, fumbling hands, and apparent exhaustion. Unconsciousness will follow, then death. The mental effects will be similar to those observed in states of extreme fatigue.

In cases of extreme exposure, build a fire and give the victim a warm drink, if he or she is able to swallow; strip him or her and put him or her into a sleeping bag with another person who is also stripped. Remember that the victim must be warmed from an outside heat source since victims cannot generate their own body heat. Do not give the victim any form of alcohol.