It holds the record for having the highest point in Wales. It is also a regular haunt for many climbers. The ones who called for help on the morning of sixth of July this year were a bit odd, however; they had decided to go up the butte in pajamas, even after several people tried to talk them out of it. Thankfully, a Snowdonia mountain rescue team got to them on time.
They were extremely fortunate, as a lot of people have died in such situations. Emergency teams are trained to handle a number of medical conditions they may have to face when executing their noble duties. One of the most common in the chilly temperatures found in most elevated areas is hypothermia.
Hyperthermia is the opposite of hypothermia; in this case, the body absorbs or generates more heat than it can dissipate. This can happen as a result of adverse reactions to drugs, or because of consistent exposure to extremely high temperatures. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent disability and death.
Frostbite as its known in medical circles, is a condition where parts of the body get damaged by lengthy exposure to cold. This damage takes place in stages. The first is known as frostnip, where only the skin surface is affected. Generally, there is no permanent damage to the area affected, although there may be a degree of insensitivity to both heat and cold.
Frostbites are another relatively common complaint, particularly for anyone who is poorly protected from the elements. This does not take place at once, but gradually in several stages. The first stage is what many people know as frostnip, and its effects are relatively minor. Only the skin surface is affected, and full recovery is almost guaranteed, though there may be a slight loss in the ability to feel heat or cold.
In the third and fourth stages, the damage goes deeper. Muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves freeze, and the area cannot be used any more. The skin becomes hard and waxy. Purplish, blood filled blisters form, and these eventually turn black. Nerve damage means loss of feeling in the area; if it becomes infected, then amputation has to be carried out. Affected parts will fall off if left untreated.
Altitude sickness is relatively common, particularly among new climbers. This is the result of decreased oxygen levels at relatively high elevations, usually above eight thousand feet, or about twenty five hundred feet. Anyone who has ever experienced an attack of flu or a hangover will probably identify with symptoms of this condition, as they are very similar. Those are some of the medical emergencies that Snowdonia mountain rescue teams have to deal with.
They were extremely fortunate, as a lot of people have died in such situations. Emergency teams are trained to handle a number of medical conditions they may have to face when executing their noble duties. One of the most common in the chilly temperatures found in most elevated areas is hypothermia.
Hyperthermia is the opposite of hypothermia; in this case, the body absorbs or generates more heat than it can dissipate. This can happen as a result of adverse reactions to drugs, or because of consistent exposure to extremely high temperatures. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent disability and death.
Frostbite as its known in medical circles, is a condition where parts of the body get damaged by lengthy exposure to cold. This damage takes place in stages. The first is known as frostnip, where only the skin surface is affected. Generally, there is no permanent damage to the area affected, although there may be a degree of insensitivity to both heat and cold.
Frostbites are another relatively common complaint, particularly for anyone who is poorly protected from the elements. This does not take place at once, but gradually in several stages. The first stage is what many people know as frostnip, and its effects are relatively minor. Only the skin surface is affected, and full recovery is almost guaranteed, though there may be a slight loss in the ability to feel heat or cold.
In the third and fourth stages, the damage goes deeper. Muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves freeze, and the area cannot be used any more. The skin becomes hard and waxy. Purplish, blood filled blisters form, and these eventually turn black. Nerve damage means loss of feeling in the area; if it becomes infected, then amputation has to be carried out. Affected parts will fall off if left untreated.
Altitude sickness is relatively common, particularly among new climbers. This is the result of decreased oxygen levels at relatively high elevations, usually above eight thousand feet, or about twenty five hundred feet. Anyone who has ever experienced an attack of flu or a hangover will probably identify with symptoms of this condition, as they are very similar. Those are some of the medical emergencies that Snowdonia mountain rescue teams have to deal with.
About the Author:
When searching for information about Snowdonia mountain rescue, details can be seen online about this North Wales service . Mountain rescue details are available when you click on the links at http://snowdoniamountainrescue.posterous.com/ today.
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