Growing up in Michigan, I quickly learned that winters can be extremely cold. My mom was always worried about frostbite, but what exactly is it, and why is it so dangerous? Let’s dive into the icy world of frostbite and learn more about this condition.
Frostbite is a serious medical condition where your skin and the tissues underneath start to freeze, turning you into a human popsicle. This can happen when you’re exposed to very cold temperatures, especially if there’s a strong wind. For example, on Mount Everest, frostbite can occur in just five minutes due to the extreme conditions.
We had the chance to hear from Bob Hoffman, a former Everest Expedition leader, about his encounters with frostbite. Despite being experienced, Bob faced several close calls on Everest, a mountain known for its unpredictable dangers.
Everest’s summit is nearly 9,000 meters high, placing climbers in what is often called “the death zone.” Here, temperatures can drop to -31°F (-35°C) in winter and -4°F (-20°C) in summer, with winds often exceeding 100 miles per hour (160 kph). In February 2004, the highest wind speed recorded on Everest was 175 miles per hour (281 kph).
During Bob’s climb in 2003, he faced harsh weather conditions. The extreme cold and wind felt like being sandblasted. Our bodies are mostly made of water, and in freezing temperatures, this water can form ice crystals, damaging cells and leading to decreased blood flow, clots, and even cell death if untreated.
Frostbite develops in three stages:
The surface of the skin freezes.
The tissue beneath the skin begins to freeze.
Muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels freeze, turning the skin dark blue or black, indicating tissue death. This can lead to the loss of fingers and toes.
Our core body temperature is usually around 98.6°F (37°C), essential for keeping us alive. In cold conditions, our brain’s hypothalamus works hard to maintain this temperature by directing blood flow to vital organs. However, this can leave extremities vulnerable to frostbite.
If the core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C), hypothermia sets in, causing confusion and increasing the risk of death.
With the right gear, you can withstand cold weather for a while, but as Bob discovered, gear isn’t always reliable. He faced a moment when his oxygen mask iced up, and while fixing it, he accidentally broke the oxygen tube. Climbers must carry their own oxygen due to the thin air, as lack of oxygen, or hypoxia, can cause altitude sickness, leading to shortness of breath, a fast heart rate, and confusion.
Bob experienced high-altitude frostbite, a mix of frostbite, dehydration, and hypoxia. He knew he needed to reach base camp for medical help. Despite his weakened state, he managed to crawl, slide, and fall down the mountain for twelve hours, eventually reaching a high camp with severe frostbite on his feet.
Bob survived to share his story. While you might not climb Everest soon, frostnip, frostbite, or hypothermia can occur even at lower altitudes. For instance, at zero degrees, frostbite can happen in just 30 minutes on a windy day.
If you’re planning a cold-weather adventure, dress warmly! Climbing Mount Everest is a daunting task, and few succeed without the help of skilled Sherpa guides. For more insights, check out the premiere of “Sherpa,” airing Saturday, April 23rd, at 9/8 central during Elevation Weekend on Discovery. The film explores how the Sherpa community united to reclaim Everest after a tragic avalanche in April 2014.
Imagine you’re on Mount Everest! Create a simple experiment using ice and water to simulate the effects of frostbite on the skin. Observe how different materials (like cloth or plastic) can insulate and protect against the cold. Discuss your findings with your classmates and consider how climbers might use similar materials to prevent frostbite.
Work in groups to role-play different emergency scenarios involving frostbite and hypothermia. Assign roles such as the victim, rescuer, and medical expert. Practice how to recognize symptoms and provide first aid. Share your scenarios with the class and discuss what you learned about emergency responses.
Using your knowledge of frostbite, design a kit that could help prevent frostbite during a cold-weather expedition. Include items like clothing, food, and emergency supplies. Present your kit to the class and explain why each item is essential for survival in extreme cold conditions.
Research the challenges of high-altitude climbing, focusing on frostbite, hypoxia, and other risks. Create a presentation to share with the class, highlighting how climbers prepare for these challenges and the role of Sherpa guides in successful expeditions.
Write a short story from the perspective of a climber on Mount Everest. Describe the experience of facing extreme cold and the threat of frostbite. Use vivid imagery to convey the physical and emotional challenges. Share your story with the class and discuss the importance of preparation and teamwork in such adventures.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Growing up in Michigan, it’s cold. No really, it’s very cold. As a kid, my mom was always worried about frostbite. But what is it, and why is it so concerning? Hello, my friends, Trace here for DNews.
Frostbite is a medical condition where your skin and underlying tissue can literally start to freeze, similar to a human popsicle. Being exposed to extremely cold temperatures combined with fast winds, like those on Mount Everest, can lead to frostbite in just 5 minutes.
So, what is frostbite really like? We were fortunate enough to talk to former Everest Expedition leader Bob Hoffman about his experience with frostbite. He mentioned having a couple of close calls on Everest. It’s a mountain where, no matter how experienced you are, something can always go wrong.
Everest’s summit is located at an elevation of almost 9,000 meters. At that altitude, a climber’s body faces many challenges, which may be why it’s often referred to as “the death zone.” Average temperatures here fluctuate between -31°F (-35°C) in winter to a pleasant -4°F (-20°C) in summer, and wind speeds during the May climbing season are usually over 100 miles per hour (160 kph). In fact, the highest wind speed on Everest was recorded at 175 miles an hour (281 kph) in February 2004.
On my last climb in 2003, I was on the summit, and we had some challenging weather. It was extremely windy and very cold. The ice was blowing off, and it felt like being sandblasted. Our bodies are mostly made of water, so when the temperature is low, that water can begin to form ice crystals, which can permanently change the cell’s chemistry and physically damage them. Eventually, blood flow can decrease, clots can form, leading to cell death, and if untreated, gangrene.
Frostbite progresses in three stages: The first stage, called frostnip, is where the surface of the skin freezes. During the second stage, called superficial frostbite, the tissue beneath the skin starts to freeze. By the third stage, known as deep frostbite, your muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels start to freeze. At this point, your skin may turn a dark blue or black, indicating that the tissue is dead, and you may lose some fingers and toes.
Normally, our core temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), which is crucial for maintaining the bodily functions that keep us alive. However, strong winds and frigid temperatures can make staying warm a constant challenge. If our core temperature starts to dip, the hypothalamus, the thermoregulatory center of our brain, springs into survival mode to protect our vital organs and maintain that core temperature. Our blood carries oxygen and distributes warmth to every part of our body. If your core temperature is compromised, your blood vessels will constrict and divert warmth away from the extremities toward vital organs.
Once the body starts protecting the vital organs, the risk of hypothermia increases. If the core body temperature drops below 95°F (35°C), individuals can become confused, combative, and are at extreme risk of death.
With the right gear, you can endure cold weather for a time without suffering from frostbite or hypothermia. However, as Bob found out, you can’t always rely on it. He recalled a moment when his oxygen mask was icing up, and while trying to clear it, he accidentally broke the oxygen tube. Climbers also have to cope with limited oxygen in the air, which is why they always carry their own supply. When the body is starved of oxygen, it’s called hypoxia, which triggers altitude sickness, leaving climbers with shortness of breath, elevated heart rates, and confusion. If a climber finds themselves without oxygen, the severity of frostbite can dramatically increase.
Bob described a moment when he stood up to start going down, but his legs collapsed beneath him due to lack of strength. He experienced high-altitude frostbite, a dangerous combination of frostbite, dehydration, and hypoxia. Aware of these dangers, Bob knew he had to reach base camp and find medical help as soon as possible. He crawled, slid, and fell down the mountain for twelve hours, knowing that if he stopped, he might not survive. He managed to reach a high camp but suffered severe frostbite on his feet.
Luckily, he lived to tell the tale. While you may not find yourself in the same position anytime soon, it’s worth remembering that you don’t have to climb Everest to experience frostnip, frostbite, or hypothermia. For example, at zero degrees, you could get frostbite in just 30 minutes on a moderately windy day.
If you’re planning a cold-climate adventure, make sure to dress warmly! Climbing Mount Everest is not for the faint of heart, and very few have managed it without the help of knowledgeable Sherpa guides. Don’t forget to tune into the premiere of “Sherpa,” airing Saturday, April 23rd, at 9/8 central as part of Elevation Weekend on Discovery. The film offers an in-depth look at how the Sherpa community came together to reclaim Everest following a deadly avalanche in April 2014.
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This version maintains the informative content while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Frostbite – A condition in which skin and other tissues are damaged due to freezing temperatures. – During the winter hike, they had to be careful to avoid frostbite by keeping their hands and feet warm.
Hypothermia – A dangerous drop in body temperature due to prolonged exposure to cold environments. – The rescue team acted quickly to treat the hiker for hypothermia after he was found in the snow.
Temperature – A measure of how hot or cold something is, often related to the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis. – The nurse checked the patient’s temperature to ensure it was within the normal range.
Cells – The basic structural and functional units of all living organisms. – Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Blood – A fluid in the body that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to cells and transports waste products away. – The doctor explained how blood circulates through the heart and lungs to get oxygenated.
Oxygen – A gas that is essential for the survival of most living organisms, used by cells to produce energy. – Plants release oxygen into the air during the process of photosynthesis.
Survival – The ability to continue living or existing, especially in difficult conditions. – Learning basic first aid can increase your chances of survival in an emergency situation.
Tissues – Groups of cells that work together to perform a specific function in the body. – Muscle tissues contract to help move parts of the body.
Extremities – The outermost parts of the body, such as hands and feet, which are more susceptible to cold. – In cold weather, it’s important to keep your extremities covered to prevent frostbite.
Adventure – An exciting or unusual experience, often involving exploration and risk. – The biology class went on an adventure to explore the diverse ecosystems of the national park.
