Incident-hypothermia

Scouting Activity Accidental Hypothermia: this is an activity where a scenario is simulated for the scouts to learn how to deal with a hypothermia incident while isolated on a hike.

Scenario - Read aloud - only once:

Your group is on a hike.

The air temperature is around 15°C (not icy cold - but not warm either). There is a cool breeze blowing. Earlier, there had been some rain but now there's just a fine drizzle.

You meet another person on the trail. The tallest Scout in the patrol to act as this person. (Wait until this is done).

• When you greet him, he replies that it sure is a cold day.
• You notice that he is shivering and seems to have difficulty speaking.
• His clothes are wet.

Demonstrate what you would do.

The scene is yours - show how you are going to help this scout

Correct Actions:

Talk to the scout: Find out where the rest of his group is - why is he alone? (Buddy system)

He probably has hypothermia.

• Shelter - Build a water-proof and windproof shelter.

• Get the victim out of wind and rain. Insulate him from the ground, remove wet clothing.
• Put him into a warm sleeping bag.

• Call for help.

• FIRST Raise the alarm with your scouters.
• Send your location to your scouters. (Drop a PIN on Whasapp) .
• Decide if we need to evacuate, look on your map for the closest escape point on your route.

• As victim is conscious, give him hot fluids such as soup or tea.
• Build a fire for warmth and huddle close for body heat.

• Boil some water to make a warm drink. (Instant soup, instant noodles, hot chocolate, tea).

• Do not rub or massage.

For reality - scouts should learn by doing rather than verbally/hypothetically talk through the situation.

• The PL (or designated scout) should take charge of the scene and delegate tasks.
• A fine drizzle and wet fire materials - complicates the task of building a fire and making tea. How long does it REALLY take to make tea on a fire?
• Build an improvised shelter

Prevention is better than cure

Do a de-brief with the scouts:

• How could this incident have been prevented.
• How does frostbite differ from hypothermia?
• What vital signs do we need to monitor?
• How did the delegation of tasks within the patrol go?

See Also

• Procedure to escalate incidents and injuries on a scout hike
• First Aid Scoutcraft Badge - Point 12
• First Aid Scout Interest Badge - Point 11 and Point 12
• Discoverer - Safety Awareness: Outdoors
• Survival Scoutcraft Badge - Point 2
• Hiking Scoutcraft Badge - Point 4