Cold Weather Conditions and Altitude Sports Medicine I

Frostbite Wind and low temps can freeze unprotected skin Wind and low temps can freeze unprotected skin Discoloration of skin Discoloration of skin Keep skin dry Keep skin dry Most common places Most common places –Fingers –Toes –Ears –Parts of the face

Hypothermia Potentially fatal condition Potentially fatal condition Constant shivering Constant shivering Apathy with slurred speech Apathy with slurred speech Unconsciousness Unconsciousness Freezing of hands and feet Freezing of hands and feet

Altitude Train at one altitude and compete at another affects performances Train at one altitude and compete at another affects performances Negative when training at low altitude and competing at high altitude Negative when training at low altitude and competing at high altitude Higher altitudes have less O2 concentration Higher altitudes have less O2 concentration Should train at altitudes for period of time to adapt Should train at altitudes for period of time to adapt

Lightening Number two cause of death Number two cause of death Indoor facility is the safest shelter Indoor facility is the safest shelter Avoid standing water and metal Avoid standing water and metal When you see lightening, it has already struck When you see lightening, it has already struck