Hypothermia
Can hypothermia occur in Florida? Yes it can!
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing your body temperature to dip. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature falls below 95°F. It is usually associated with marginally prepared people who were caught outside in cold, windy conditions up North. However, it can occur here in Florida during a cold spell like we had a few days ago.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports that hypothermia can occur in swimmers and divers at water temperatures as warm as 80°F. So, make sure you wear an appropriate wetsuit for the swimming and diving that you’re planning.
What are the Signs of Hypothermia?
Hypothermia begins with shivering and "goosebumps". As your body temperature falls, the shivering slows, then stops. This is your body shutting down. The flow of blood to your arms and legs slows, then stops. As you go into deeper stages of hypothermia, your speech becomes slurred, then incoherent. Eventually, you become lethargic and your motions are uncoordinated. Your breathing slows, becomes shallow and erratic. You lose consciousness.
Oh, one other thing. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing the speed at which you lose body heat, and thus accelerating hypothermia!
Don’t let it happen to you!
Stay warm and stay safe!