Frigid temperatures have gripped Prince Albert and much of the province (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)  

By Joan Olson/paNOW

Severe cold

Frostbite can happen in minutes as emergency crews respond

Jan 25, 2021 | 1:40 PM

When temperatures drop to extremes, frostbite can happen in minutes according to Lyle Karasiuk from Parkland Ambulance. He is urging people to be prepared after paramedics responded to a few frostbite calls this weekend.

“We see people still walking to work or in cases where it’s very cold trying to get the vehicle started because their block heater quit working or some other mechanical issue has happened and they are not properly dressed,” said Karasiuk.

The director of public affairs for Parkland Ambulance said frostbite is usually a result of being unprepared. In these frigid temperatures, toques, mittens, scarves or face coverings, heavy winter coats and boots are essential. But he added there may also be a degree of people just not being in the mindset of severe winter weather after a relatively benign season so far.

“Part of it is because people have been caught off guard because January is typically our cold month and we end up with weeks upon weeks of blistering cold weather and I think this is only day two or day three of these minus 35 minus 40 temperatures,” he said.

While many can escape from the frigid temperatures, Karasiuk said it is important to be mindful of the marginalized who are at a high risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

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“If you notice someone that is in a bus shelter when buses aren’t running or in the front entrance of an ATM when it’s very late at night and banks are closed, those are people who need help and we need to activate our emergency response system which is 911 to get some help for them,” he explained.

Red fingers are an early sign of frost bite. Flesh will freeze relatively quickly because our body is made up predominantly of water much like an ice cube in your freezer.

“If it gets red it will turn a white waxy appearance. You may notice that if you walk even a short block today. If you end up with a few little red spots or a white waxy look on your face it is frostbite and you’ll need to warm the area.”

Karasiuk said that oddly enough, rubbing your hands together when you start to see them red or waxy is the worst thing you can do. He compared it to rubbing a piece of sandpaper between your two hands and you may notice puffiness or blood blisters appear. It’s also important to watch for signs of hypothermia which include acting strangely or intoxicated or confused by saying things that don’t make sense.

“People will want to undress which is a common odd phenomenon in people who get severely cold. Get them help, get them warm, get them in shelters or something warm to drink. Help from a paramedic and into a hospital emergency room will be needed and essential.”

Environment Canada expects continued severe windchills, reaching -40 C or lower through to Wednesday. Arctic air has set in over much of the prairies, with the coldest air hanging in Saskatchewan. The mercury began to dive on Saturday night and continued through Monday morning. Environment Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang said it’s likely to stick around for a bit longer.

“We’re going to be having these cold temperatures at least through Tuesday,” she said. “Gradual warming through Wednesday, but there’s going to be some winds around.”

While temperatures dipped to -40 C in Prince Albert, Lang said it was not record-breaking. Historic lows are in the high minus 40s.

With files from northeastNOW

joan.olson@jpbg.ca