Adapting To An Outdoor Environment Remote Areas Emergency Medicine and Survival

Objectives Identify survival requirements of the human body. Identify survival requirements of the human body. Explain how the outdoor environment effects the major systems of the body. Explain how the outdoor environment effects the major systems of the body. Identify methods of adapting to functioning in the outdoor environment. Identify methods of adapting to functioning in the outdoor environment.

Objectives Explain the importance of nutrition and physical conditioning in adapting to the outdoor environment. Explain the importance of nutrition and physical conditioning in adapting to the outdoor environment. Skill Performance Skill Performance Demonstrate layering principles using typical ski clothing. Demonstrate layering principles using typical ski clothing.

Vocabulary Acclimatization- the process by which the body adjusts to a new environment. Acclimatization- the process by which the body adjusts to a new environment. Alveoli- the smallest air sacs of the lungs. Alveoli- the smallest air sacs of the lungs. Homotherm- a human or other warm blooded animal that maintains a constant body temperature despite changes in environmental temperature. Homotherm- a human or other warm blooded animal that maintains a constant body temperature despite changes in environmental temperature. Hyperventilation- deep rapid breathing Hyperventilation- deep rapid breathing

Vocabulary Vapor barrier garment- a waterproof garment worn either next to the skin or over a thin garment of polypropylene. Vapor barrier garment- a waterproof garment worn either next to the skin or over a thin garment of polypropylene. Windchill effect- the cooling effect of the wind added to low environmental temperature. Windchill effect- the cooling effect of the wind added to low environmental temperature.

Survival Requirements of the Human Body

Survival Requirements For basic survival the human body needs: Oxygen Oxygen Stable body temperature Stable body temperature Water Water Food Food Will to live Will to live Physical integrity Physical integrity

Oxygen A necessary component of life A necessary component of life Is supplied to the body through the lungs and alveoli Is supplied to the body through the lungs and alveoli A constant supply of oxygen is needed by the body A constant supply of oxygen is needed by the body

Oxygen The body can be deprived of oxygen by injury or moving to high altitude The body can be deprived of oxygen by injury or moving to high altitude At high altitude the body can adjust through acclimatization. At high altitude the body can adjust through acclimatization.

Acclimatization Acclimatization occurs... Hyperventilation Hyperventilation Improvement in the bloods oxygen intake and oxygen- carrying capacity Improvement in the bloods oxygen intake and oxygen- carrying capacity Heart and skeletal muscle action become more efficient Heart and skeletal muscle action become more efficient

Acclimatization To encourage acclimatization allow enough time for a slow ascent to altitude. To encourage acclimatization allow enough time for a slow ascent to altitude. Provide a rest day after ascent to 10,000 feet above sea level. Provide a rest day after ascent to 10,000 feet above sea level.

Oxygen The body also can be deprived of oxygen by injury. The body also can be deprived of oxygen by injury.

Temperature The mechanisms of the body work best when it is… Well fed Well fed Hydrated Hydrated Properly rested Properly rested In good condition In good condition

Temperature If these mechanism fail to maintain body heat in an optimal range, injury can occur due to cold such as frostbite or due to heat such as heat stroke. If these mechanism fail to maintain body heat in an optimal range, injury can occur due to cold such as frostbite or due to heat such as heat stroke.

Environmental Effects on Major Body Systems

Heat Loss The human body is composed of … Core (nervous system, heart, lungs, internal organs) Core (nervous system, heart, lungs, internal organs) Shell (muscles, skin and extremities) Shell (muscles, skin and extremities)

Heat Loss When the body attempts to adjust body temperature it may do so for the core at the expense of the shell temperature. When the body attempts to adjust body temperature it may do so for the core at the expense of the shell temperature. We must understand how temperature is lost and how to prevent the loss. We must understand how temperature is lost and how to prevent the loss.

Heat Loss Heat is lost or gained from the human body in five ways: Conduction Conduction Convection Convection Evaporation Evaporation Radiation Radiation Respiration Respiration

Conduction The direct loss of heat by contact The direct loss of heat by contact The amount transferred depends on the temperature difference and material involved The amount transferred depends on the temperature difference and material involved

Convection The transfer of heat when air of a different temperature moves across the body surface The transfer of heat when air of a different temperature moves across the body surface

Evaporation Occurs when water or other liquids on the bodys surface are converted to vapor Occurs when water or other liquids on the bodys surface are converted to vapor Can be a beneficial loss in hot climates Can be a beneficial loss in hot climates

Radiation Is the transfer of heat to or form the body through infrared waves Is the transfer of heat to or form the body through infrared waves Heat loss from uncovered skin is through radiation Heat loss from uncovered skin is through radiation

Respiration The heat lost as cool air is inhaled and warmed by the body before being exhaled The heat lost as cool air is inhaled and warmed by the body before being exhaled Heat also can be gained in this way during hot weather Heat also can be gained in this way during hot weather

Heat Loss A body at rest at 21° C and average humidity loses 70% through radiation, conduction and convection. 70% through radiation, conduction and convection. 27 % through evaporation 27 % through evaporation 3% through body functions 3% through body functions

Heat Loss The body has voluntary and involuntary methods of both increasing and decreasing heat loss. The body has voluntary and involuntary methods of both increasing and decreasing heat loss.

Methods of Decreasing Body Heat Loss Involuntary Involuntary Decrease perspiration Decrease perspiration Shunt blood away from the shell Shunt blood away from the shell Decrease body surface area (curl into ball) Decrease body surface area (curl into ball) Voluntary Voluntary Add clothing Add clothing Seek shelter from chilling mechanism Seek shelter from chilling mechanism Stay dry; get out of wet clothing Stay dry; get out of wet clothing

Heat Loss The body has three methods for avoiding dangerous degrees of cooling: The body has three methods for avoiding dangerous degrees of cooling: Increase internal heat production Increase internal heat production Add heat from environment Add heat from environment Decrease heat loss Decrease heat loss The most energy efficient is to avoid the heat loss. The most energy efficient is to avoid the heat loss.

Methods of Increasing Body Heat Loss Involuntary Involuntary Increase perspiration Increase perspiration Shunt blood to the shell Shunt blood to the shell Voluntary Voluntary Subtract clothing Subtract clothing Seek shelter from warming mechanism Seek shelter from warming mechanism Expose more skin Expose more skin Cool with water Cool with water

Practical Ways of Decreasing Body Heat Loss Avoid alcohol and nicotine Avoid alcohol and nicotine Avoid getting wet Avoid getting wet Use personal floatation device Use personal floatation device Avoid contact with cold surfaces Avoid contact with cold surfaces Protect from windchill effect Protect from windchill effect Avoid excessive respiratory heat loss Avoid excessive respiratory heat loss

Practical Ways of Decreasing Body Heat Loss Use optimal insulation materials for clothing such as: wool, polypropylene, down, polyester pile, etc. Use optimal insulation materials for clothing such as: wool, polypropylene, down, polyester pile, etc. Avoid cotton in cold wet weather Avoid cotton in cold wet weather Use layering so that clothing can be added or subtracted as needed Use layering so that clothing can be added or subtracted as needed Adequately cover body parts such as head, ears, finger, feet Adequately cover body parts such as head, ears, finger, feet

Adapting to the Weather

Adapting There are many things that we can do to help the body adapt to the outdoor environment. There are many things that we can do to help the body adapt to the outdoor environment.

Cold Weather Clothing Proper layering and the use of insulated clothing can protect the body from cold Proper layering and the use of insulated clothing can protect the body from cold Use a four layer system of clothing Use a four layer system of clothing Select based on the environment and expected weather Select based on the environment and expected weather Choose materials with insulating values Choose materials with insulating values

Layer one Layer one Underwear-wool, thermax, polypropylene and blends; avoid cotton Underwear-wool, thermax, polypropylene and blends; avoid cotton Socks-wool or polypropylene, use one thin pair near skin with thick outer sock Socks-wool or polypropylene, use one thin pair near skin with thick outer sock Layer Two Layer Two Shirt-wool or polypropylene Shirt-wool or polypropylene Pants-same material as shirt; avoid cotton Pants-same material as shirt; avoid cotton Boots-activity dependent Boots-activity dependent

Third Layer Third Layer Parka-down or fiberfill, wind and water proof Parka-down or fiberfill, wind and water proof Wind pants-water and wind proof Wind pants-water and wind proof Hat-wool or poly Hat-wool or poly Mitten or Gloves- glove liners Mitten or Gloves- glove liners Fourth Layer Fourth Layer Extra layer such as quilted vest in pack Extra layer such as quilted vest in pack Other considerations Other considerations Rain gear Rain gear Vapor barrier Vapor barrier

Cold Weather Survival Kit Shelter Building Shelter Building Plastic tarp Plastic tarp Shovel Shovel Nylon cord Nylon cord Folding saw, ax Folding saw, ax Fire Building Fire Building Waterproof matches Waterproof matches Firestarter Firestarter Candle Candle Knife Knife Signaling Signaling Whistle Whistle Mirror Mirror Flashlight Flashlight change for phone change for phone Signal cards Signal cards Optional Optional Therm-A-Rest Therm-A-Rest Stove and fuel Stove and fuel Sleeping bag Sleeping bag

Cold Weather Survival Kit Other Other Compass Compass Map Map Metal pot and cup Metal pot and cup Emergency care kit Emergency care kit Toilet paper Toilet paper Sunglasses Sunglasses Sunblock cream Sunblock cream Lip salve Lip salve Spare socks Spare socks Spare mittens Spare mittens Canteen (full) Canteen (full) Food Food Extra layer of clothing Extra layer of clothing Avalanche poles Avalanche poles

Adapting to Hot Weather Heat stress is related to both temperature and humidity. Heat stress is related to both temperature and humidity. Serious heat stress can occur if the core temperature rises above 40° C for a significant period of time. Serious heat stress can occur if the core temperature rises above 40° C for a significant period of time.

Adapting to Hot Weather The body adapts in the following ways: The body adapts in the following ways: Blood volume increases Blood volume increases Heart efficiency improves Heart efficiency improves Perspiration starts sooner and increases in volume Perspiration starts sooner and increases in volume Perspiration contains less salt Perspiration contains less salt

Adapting to Hot Weather Increasing Body Heat Loss Increasing Body Heat Loss Expose as much skin as possible Expose as much skin as possible Wear light loose cotton clothing Wear light loose cotton clothing Drink plenty of fluids Drink plenty of fluids Acclimatize Acclimatize Reducing Heat Gain from the Environment Reducing Heat Gain from the Environment Wear protective clothing Wear protective clothing Seek shade Seek shade Avoid hot objects Avoid hot objects Do not lie on ground Do not lie on ground Decrease muscular activity Decrease muscular activity

Nutrition and Conditioning

l Lack of proper nutrition can cause weight loss, depression, apathy, and lack of coordination l Poor nutrition and fitness can cause fatigue, lack of endurance, lack of tolerance to heat and cold, etc.

The six groups of nutrients are: The six groups of nutrients are: Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Fats Fats Proteins Proteins Vitamins Vitamins Minerals Minerals Water Water

Carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, sugar and cereals. Carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, sugar and cereals. Protein sources include eggs, dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, nuts and peas. Protein sources include eggs, dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, nuts and peas.

Fat sources include butter, dairy products, meat eggs, nuts, butter, lard, cooking oil, chocolate, mayonnaise, fried foods, and ice cream. Fat sources include butter, dairy products, meat eggs, nuts, butter, lard, cooking oil, chocolate, mayonnaise, fried foods, and ice cream.

Nutrition Water makes up 60% of the body. Water makes up 60% of the body. A sedentary person must replace 2.5 liters per day. A sedentary person must replace 2.5 liters per day. More is needed at altitude, hot weather, or during exertion ( 3 to 4 liters). More is needed at altitude, hot weather, or during exertion ( 3 to 4 liters).

Physical Fitness Important to members of outdoor recreation or rescue groups because their activities can impose unusual physical demands Important to members of outdoor recreation or rescue groups because their activities can impose unusual physical demands Important to develop and maintain a high level of physical fitness Important to develop and maintain a high level of physical fitness

Fitness Program Warm-up Warm-up Calisthenics or sports to develop motor fitness Calisthenics or sports to develop motor fitness Endurance training to develop cardiovascular fitness Endurance training to develop cardiovascular fitness Cool down period Cool down period

Fitness The goal and end result of any endurance sport should be to maximize the bodys ability to take up and use oxygen. The goal and end result of any endurance sport should be to maximize the bodys ability to take up and use oxygen.

Fitness A good fitness program should aim for a minimum workout of 45 minutes at least 4 times a week. A good fitness program should aim for a minimum workout of 45 minutes at least 4 times a week.