Читать книгу Trinity Alps & Vicinity: Including Whiskeytown, Russian Wilderness, and Castle Crags Areas. A Hiking and Backpacking Guide онлайн

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Hypothermia is an insidious ailment, as the victim fails to realize his or her deteriorating condition, due to the loss of judgment brought on by the initial stages. When wet and cold conditions are encountered, every member of a group should watch each other closely for any developing signs of hypothermia. At the first signs of hypothermia in anyone, the group as a whole should seek shelter, build a fire where possible, and take every step to get the victim warm and dry.

If a person reaches the second or third stages of hypothermia, he or she must be helped immediately—abandoning a victim in this situation is a death sentence. With utmost haste, the victim should be placed in a shelter, stripped of all wet clothing, and placed in a dry sleeping bag with another unaffected person who has been stripped of clothing as well (skin-to-skin transfer of heat is the best remedy). If warm nonalcoholic beverages are available, they will also help the victim.

As with many backcountry maladies, prevention is the best cure for hypothermia. You should always bring waterproof and breathable clothing made from modern synthetics, such as Gore-Tex or its equivalent, whether you’re on a day hike or a multiday expedition. At the first sign of wet and/or chilly conditions, put on a shell parka and pants and wear them until conditions improve. Base layers worn next to the skin should be made of polypropylene, or natural fibers like silk or wool—fabrics that will keep you warm and transfer perspiration to the outer layers of your clothing. Mid-layers of synthetics, such as fleece or wool, serve a similar function. Cotton clothing, while very comfortable, is the worst possible fabric for wet and chilly conditions. When wet, either from the elements or perspiration, cotton loses all ability to insulate and thereby keep you warm. A well-constructed tent with a rainfly (or a waterproof tent) is an excellent investment for backpackers camping in wet weather, not to mention that it provides a haven from mosquitoes.