Hey Guys

So with all of the weather shenanigans going on I thought I’d comment on an aspect of the brutal cold that isn’t mentioned as often. Indeed, this weather is

Frostbite weather

http://www.atc.army.mil/weather/windchill.pdf

These are the cold weather standards of the United States Army.
They classify the dangers as follows:

  Green – Little Danger (frostbite occurs in >2 hours in dry, exposed skin)

  Yellow – Increased Danger (frostbite could occur in 45 minutes OR LESS in   dry, exposed skin)

  Red – Great Danger (frostbite could occur IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS in dry,   exposed skin)

 According to their standards listed in the above link, frostbite can actually occur way before most people realize it. At 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you can get frostbite if you are outside long enough. Of course, how many of us are outside for over two hours in this weather?

As the temperatures get lower, it becomes more of a concern.

At 10 °F, we are still in the “green zone”, but they now require mittens with special liners to keep your extremities warm.

At 5 °F, the danger starts becoming more real. It is now bordering on the “yellow zone”. What I mean by this is that if the wind exceeds a certain level (meaning that there is a wind-chill), the danger is now classified as increased. I have personally been outside for long periods of time during this weather (around 5 degrees, with lots of wind), and Frostbite does start to set in in less than 45 minutes in exposed areas. It’s not fun. Yellow zone conditions start around when the wind-chill hits -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

At 0 °F, the danger is severely elevated.  When there is 15mph Winds, it is yellow zone conditions.

At -10 °F, you are in yellow zone conditions no matter the wind. The higher the wind, the faster frostbite starts to occur.

At -15 °F, with enough wind you now hit “red zone” weather. I highly doubt that UMBC will ever reach this level of cold, but if it does I know one person who is staying home.

As it gets colder the “red zone” increases.

Let’s talk about getting

Frostbitten

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=124962

^ This is where I got extra info on the actual condition. It doesn’t contain “gross” images, just an artist’s depiction^

Now, when the army said “Frostbite may occur…” they aren’t specifying which degree. Most people associate it with blackened toes falling off, but that’s not actually the first stage. That is the final and fourth stage of frostbite. I have gotten frostbite before, but only 1^st degree.

While you are working on your first degree, frostbite actually has 4.

1^st degree:

This is where your hand/skin goes numb and you can’t really feel them anymore.  Movement of joints in this area will become slightly more difficult. When you thaw, you feel pins and needles or a burning sensation to a varied degree in the areas affected.

2^nd degree:

The freeze has penetrated deeper into the area. Upon thawing, the sensation of burning is much more significant, and you have blisters on your hands. The damage reverses itself within a few days.

3^rd degree:

Your skin is frozen. At this point the moisture in your hands freezes, damaging your skin tissue permanently. The area turns black as it dies. This usually results in the area having to be removed.

4^th degree:

The area affected is dead. You are literally frozen to the bone in said area, and the area needs amputation.

Note: Symptoms of any degree of frostbite are not always apparent immediately. If you have frozen hands, DO NOT THAW THEM OUT WITH HOT WATER. THIS CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE NERVES IN YOUR HANDS AND MAY DAMAGE SKIN TISSUE. Really only a professional should thaw you, or let them air thaw.

Personally, when I had gotten 1^st degree frostbitten, I ran my hands under ice cold water. This caused them to thaw quicker (the water was warmer than my skin was) but not too fast to cause damage.

That’s about all I got.

Don’t get bit by frostbite! Be prepared! Give Mother Nature the cold shoulder!

(*disclaimer: I’m an engineering major, not a doctor. This is what I have learned through research and experience.*)