Winter Is Coming!

Some practical magic involving frostbite

The weatherman is claiming that, here in Missouri, we’re about to be hit with what may be one of the worst ice and snow blasts in decades. At my place, the forecast is for around an inch of ice and high winds; and its almost guaranteed that the power lines (and maybe even the poles) are going to come down. That could be followed by a foot or more of snow . . . and several days of sub-zero temps.

Snow and cold I don’t mind . . . but I hate ice.

I’ve changed the oil in the generator, cleaned the air filter, and replaced the spark plug. I have 10 gallons of gas immediately at hand . . . and another 200 gallons in the big, farm-tank should I need it. I’ve busted out the space heater (my furnace is hard wired; my generator is not) and have an indoor-approved, ventless propane heater (and several days-worth of propane cannisters) should the genny fail.

I’m stocked on food (and dog food), and both the car and old, 4WD truck are gassed up. The heavy-duty extension cords are laid out and ready to plug in.

All should be well, unless I do something unwise . . . which is why this seems an opportune time to remind everyone that risking frostbite by going out and being witty during an ice-storm is inadvisable. Here’s a story to exemplify, and a few tips on what to do (or not do) should you find yourself frozen solid.

About a decade ago, I got a call from my late father (he was 90 at the time). I thought nothing of it when he said, matter of factly, “I need a little advice.”

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Oh, your mom fell in a snow drift,” he said, matter-of-factly. Dad never was one for drama or overt shows of emotion. “We’re socked in by a blizzard, and I was wondering what a person might do for frostbite.”

That was my “holy crap” moment. I soon learned that Mom (84 at the time) has been stuck in the drift for 20 minutes, and had attempted (unsuccessfully) to crawl the 50 yards to the house on her hands and knees. Living in a remote, rural, area of Missouri, and with roads impassable, there was no chance of getting her to a hospital.

Frostbite was nothing new to me, as I spent nearly 15 years in the northern Rockies and routinely dealt with temperatures of 50 below. My rule has always been that the best way to treat frostbite is to avoid putting yourself in situations where you’re at high risk for getting it. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and sometimes (often) things happen.

When they do, you need to keep your wits and follow a fairly precise treatment plan. Do things right and chances are good that a frostbitten person will recover. Do things wrong and you’re talking a world of pain, gangrene, possible amputation, and maybe even death.

My mom survived with no long-term damage. though she did need several doctor’s visits and antibiotics . . . and did endure a couple of months of pain in areas where her flesh had been severely frozen and blistered. Things could have been much, much worse.

Methods of dealing with frostbite depend upon whether you’re in the field or close to a warm shelter. Other factors – age, general health, smoking, alcohol intake, wind chill, even how warmly you are dressed – are also a consideration. It is important to keep in mind that a person with frostbite might also be enduring hypothermia, a lowering of the body’s core temperature (that’s when things really get spooky).

Just sounds lovely, doesn’t it? No wonder Florida and Arizona are so crowded.

Frostbite generally occurs on the extremities (nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, toes, etc). Your body knows it is dangerously cold and withdraws blood from these areas to keep vital organs warm and functioning. Symptoms typically begin with a “pins and needles” feeling on the affected spots, followed by numbness. If exposure to the cold continues the frostbitten areas will likely turn pale, white, or black.

If you haven’t guessed . . . black is really bad. The following are basic treatment techniques, some dos and don’ts.

• If at all feasible your best move is to get to a hospital. Always warm a person gradually, not quickly, if hospitalization is a non-starter

• Forget the old wives’ tales. NEVER apply snow to frostbite. Do not massage or rub the frozen skin. Do not use direct dry heat (like campfires, radiators, heating pads, etc) to warm a person. Direct heat might well cause burns to the frozen skin and tissue

• The best thing you can do for a frostbite victim is get them into a warm (not hot!) bath. Remove all their clothing and jewelry and immerse them fully. Apply warm, wet cloths to frostbitten areas on the face. Keep adding and removing water to the tub, and replacing the cloths, so the temperature stays constant. You’re generally looking at 30 to 40 minutes in the tub.

The frostbite victim is going to feel sensation returning, not to mention quite a bit of pain (frostbite is similar to a burn). When the skin around the frozen area is thawed and pliable the victim can be removed from the tub, dried, and wrapped in warm blankets.

• Apply dry, sterile dressings to frostbitten areas.

• Make the victim drink plenty of warm fluids. I had my father feed my mom increasingly warmer water in which he dissolved sugar; this increases blood volume. Broth is also fine. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol.

• Move the frostbitten areas as little as possible. It is important that a frostbitten person receives medical attention (due to infection risks) as soon as possible. This is especially true if the thawed area develops blisters.

• If a person’s core temperature is below 95 degrees then they are in the grip of hypothermia. DO NOT put them in warm water. The shock could stop their heart.

• If you’re in the field when frostbite occurs DO NOT try and thaw skin unless you’re absolutely sure it will remain thawed. Thawing and re-freezing will only worsen the damage. Your goal at this point is to find a safe location before attempting the rewarming process.

Stay warm, ya’ll. Stay inside. This might be a bad one.