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  1. #1
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    Hypothermia

    I'm with IanDarkpeak in thinking a hypothermia thread isn't a bad idea. I'm sure there are times when many of us have headed towards it (me included after sitting around too long after a BG recce recently). Knowing what to do (and probably as importantly not what to do) is very useful information
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  2. #2
    Grandmaster IanDarkpeak's Avatar
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    Re: Hypothermia

    Quote Originally Posted by Derby Tup View Post
    I'm with IanDarkpeak in thinking a hypothermia thread isn't a bad idea. I'm sure there are times when many of us have headed towards it (me included after sitting around too long after a BG recce recently). Knowing what to do (and probably as importantly not what to do) is very useful information
    I'll get something together later. Bit short of time this morning.

    Prevention
    Signs
    Causes
    Treatment

    Anything else? What do our fellrunning Docs think?
    Might good to have some anecdotes from runners...

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    Master Al Fowler's Avatar
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    Re: Hypothermia

    As far as I can remember, Ive once been in actual trouble of hypo, and another time it was just a nasty but not serious spout of coldness.

    The first time was when I recce’d the Coniston FR route in pouring rain and cold cloud one October morning in about 2009 or 10.
    I lost the path up Weatherlam and ended up in a crop of huge rocks. I didn’t know where the hell I was and I was desperately cold. My OMM smock was soaked both inside and out, and my gloves were saturated. I sat down behind a rock to get the map and compass out, and had to force myself to get up and move. I tried to carry on, but bailed after Swirl How and just dropped straight down to Levers Water. Thankfully by the time I was at the tarn I was out of the cloud and I could warm up. Certainly a reality check that you don’t mess with the weather!
    The second time was after Noonstone when it was the English Championship race the other year. Id fallen in every bog going and was soaked. I had hitched a lift with a few clubmates who were a while finishing after me and I was stood around getting cold. By the time the car was opened, I couldn’t use my hands and couldn’t get undressed out of my wet clothes. I was given a pair of dry gloves and gradually my hands came back.

    Since then, Ive always taken a pair of gloves with me to wear after a race or training run, just incase.

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    Senior Member Steampig's Avatar
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    Re: Hypothermia

    Just to put some context to the Fellsman Hypothermia situation.
    This was my 1st attempt and myself and my running buddy set off from Ingleton in Long Tights and Waterproof / Windproof Tops. It was sunny but cold and very windy when we all set off. There was a real mixture of clothing being worn from shorts and long sleeves tops to people in full protection. I think that perhaps some people under estimated the effects of the wind throughout the day and not just when the sun went down and the temperature dropped. As Jez Bragg said in his Grough interview, even he felt that he was putting in a lot more effort just to keep going against the wind. More effort equals tired sooner than you might normally anticipate, more calories required sooner than you might normally anticipate etc etc. We noticed several people putting jackets on the tops of summits, putting your jacket on when you are already cold is a bit like eating when you feel hungry or drinking when you are thirsty.... it's probably too late. I think that careful management of yourself is the key in an event such as this.

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    Re: Hypothermia

    Quote Originally Posted by Steampig View Post
    Just to put some context to the Fellsman Hypothermia situation.
    This was my 1st attempt and myself and my running buddy set off from Ingleton in Long Tights and Waterproof / Windproof Tops. It was sunny but cold and very windy when we all set off. There was a real mixture of clothing being worn from shorts and long sleeves tops to people in full protection. I think that perhaps some people under estimated the effects of the wind throughout the day and not just when the sun went down and the temperature dropped. As Jez Bragg said in his Grough interview, even he felt that he was putting in a lot more effort just to keep going against the wind. More effort equals tired sooner than you might normally anticipate, more calories required sooner than you might normally anticipate etc etc. We noticed several people putting jackets on the tops of summits, putting your jacket on when you are already cold is a bit like eating when you feel hungry or drinking when you are thirsty.... it's probably too late. I think that careful management of yourself is the key in an event such as this.
    Good points Steampig. All the same I think my major problem at the Fellsman was putting on too many layers (ironically), then building a up a sweat running which then cooled super fast when I hit 3 miles of tough ground and having to walk head on into that frigid wind. All the same I definitely used up miles more calories than maybe I was expecting which also led to some unexpected low blood sugar moments as well.

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    Master IainR's Avatar
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    Re: Hypothermia

    Quote Originally Posted by Al Fowler View Post

    Since then, Ive always taken a pair of gloves with me to wear after a race or training run, just incase.

    I wear gloves a lot. I have reynauds so lose my hands quick. the other year I DNF'd in foel fras.. set off in a vest in awful conditions, but FF is a runners race so you keep warm.. but I took a sneaky short cut to move into second.. but had turned 180 and ran back on myself.. slowed.. got cold.. tried to get a map.. but my hands were useless.. couldn't get my jacket on.. then fell and cut my back so badly I still have a scar 3 years later.. I just descended.. out of the wind I warmed within minutes.. got my jacket on and had a pleasant run out having DNF'd.. it was amazing how serious it was as this cold front came through just for the race.. and was then glorious within minutes.. but since then I'm really careful about my hands..

    Also I used my new OMM bumbag that day and did the bungy's up tight.. so couldn't undo them with cold hands.. I now have no bungy on them just in case that ever happens..

  7. #7
    Master Al Fowler's Avatar
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    Re: Hypothermia

    Quote Originally Posted by IainR View Post
    get off the hill
    Wise words Iain - I'll keep your advice locked and loaded!

    Quote Originally Posted by IainR View Post
    Also I used my new OMM bumbag that day and did the bungy's up tight.. so couldn't undo them with cold hands.. I now have no bungy on them just in case that ever happens..
    I had the same problem at Noonstone. I ripped the standard zip off my Inov-8 bumbag and tied a much longer length of material through the eyelet so I can open it much easier now.

  8. #8
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    Re: Hypothermia

    Quote Originally Posted by IainR View Post

    Also I used my new OMM bumbag that day and did the bungy's up tight.. so couldn't undo them with cold hands.. I now have no bungy on them just in case that ever happens..
    Had a simlar problem in January this year on a recce in the Shropshire hills. Gloves got soaked through and before I knew fingers were so cold and painful I could not undo the waist and chest strap on my rucksack. Frustatingly, even though I had some more dry insulation in my sack, I could not get to it! Only way out of this was to descend out of the wind and rain/snow/sleet and then sit with my hands between my legs until I got enough feeling back to undo the belt clip. Just goes to show that even when you think you are well prepared, conditions can easily get the better of you.

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    Re: Hypothermia

    Several runners were hypothermic at Mynnydd Troed at the weekend despite a shortened route. (see comments at http://www.fellrace.com/mynyddtroed). One was taken to hospital but thankfully is now OK. Contributing factors were cold continuous heavy rain, very strong winds and flimsy 'windproof' body cover which doesn't keep the wet out, you can see some very wet runners on Al Tye's photos.

  10. #10
    Master IainR's Avatar
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    Re: Hypothermia

    Quote Originally Posted by Welsh Harrier View Post
    Contributing factors were cold continuous heavy rain, very strong winds and flimsy 'windproof' body cover which doesn't keep the wet out, you can see some very wet runners on Al Tye's photos.
    The problem is even light weight waterproofs, never mind windproofs, will wet out in no time..so once its pushed up against wet skin + strong wind and heat loss is rapid..

    Light weight gear is great, but its not as good as heavy weight gear.. there is a compromise..

    Wasn't that race shortened though?

    Sunday was horrific though, in north wales it was 3/4 Deg C.. heavy rain and strong winds.. it doesn't get much worse.. the warden at the pass was saying that noone made snowdon summit that day as all turned back..

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