Emergency Medical Calls
During January, more than 1,600 Ukrainians required emergency medical assistance due to hypothermia and frostbite. Of these cases, 1,469 people required hospitalization. The Dnipropetrovsk region recorded the highest number of incidents at 195, followed by the capital Kyiv with 183 cases, and the Kharkiv region with 167. These figures highlight the severe impact of winter conditions, particularly during a period of ongoing conflict and energy challenges.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Hypothermia
Hypothermia presents with several key symptoms. An affected person will typically have skin that is pale, cold to the touch, and dry, and their lips may appear bluish. Other common warning signs include:
- Uncontrollable shivering;
- Slowed breathing;
- Slurred speech.
In young children, hypothermia may manifest differently, with skin that is cold and unusually red, accompanied by lethargy, drowsiness, and a refusal to feed.
How to Respond to Hypothermia
If you encounter someone showing signs of hypothermia, a swift response is critical. Move the person to a warm location immediately and call the emergency lines at 103 or 112. If the individual loses consciousness and shows no signs of breathing or a pulse, you must begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). These actions are vital for preserving life and health during extreme weather.
The high number of emergency calls underscores the serious risks posed by freezing temperatures, especially during winter. These incidents emphasize the public's need for awareness about hypothermia's dangers and the importance of a rapid emergency response.
In the broader context of climate volatility, such cold-weather health crises may become more frequent, necessitating proactive measures from state authorities and medical services to prevent future cases.