(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Cold Weather

Parkland Ambulance busy with frostbite, hypothermia calls

Dec 7, 2022 | 12:10 PM

The extremely cold weather is keeping Parkland Ambulance quite busy.

The paramedic service has responded to several cold exposure-related calls over the past day, including six Wednesday morning.

“Thankfully, many of these have been minor,” said Lyle Karasiuk, the Director of Public Affairs for Parkland Ambulance.

The majority of these people were suffering from frostbite which turned their skin red with white blotches. There were some who also started to develop blisters.

Karasiuk explained these people were simply exposed to the elements for too long with most being homeless and having nowhere to go.

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Instead of just warming them up and sending them on their way, Parkland Ambulance offered to take each to the Victoria Hospital.

“We’ve been providing the opportunity for these folks to seek care in our emergency room at the hospital,” said Karasiuk.

He noted this also gave them a chance to see a doctor and discuss other potential medical issues they may be experiencing.

Along with frostbite, hypothermia is a major problem during these cold temperatures.

When your body starts to shiver, that’s a sign it’s suffering from a minor case. In nearly all cases, people just need to warm up indoors.

However, the longer a person is outside the more likely they are to suffer from more severe symptoms including becoming confused and cold to the touch.

Karasiuk said one of the calls they got Wednesday morning involved someone suffering from hypothermia. Their vehicle had broken down on their way to work and instead of waiting inside, they decided to walk.

“They actually got to a residence fairly close, but with the extreme temperatures,they were quite cold and the residents there were concerned for them and called for help,” he said.

When it’s cold outside, especially in freezing temperatures, people should never leave their vehicles. Karasiuk added it’s important everyone has a survival kit in their vehicle and even a blanket to help keep them warm.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow