Hypothermia
Hypothermia in Canada – both in the water and on land – is a real threat and poses a significant medical risk for the victim. Each year, almost 200 Canadians die of hypothermia and hundreds more suffer significant cold injuries.
For Search and Rescue personnel, hypothermia complicates the tasks that Responders have during SAR activities. It has been reported that approximately 20% of victims suffering from severe hypothermia die either during or shortly after rescue. Some of these deaths will occur despite the best efforts of Responders; however, some can be attributed to a lack of understanding of how to handle a hypothermic victim properly.
BICO – Baby It’s Cold Outside, is an online training program for SAR Personnel designed to educate Responders on how to properly handle hypothermic victims, as well as deal with other cold injuries.