Overseas Hypothermia Deaths Also Occur... Prevention by Wearing Multiple Thin Layers of Clothing

99 Deaths Over Two Days Due to Cold Wave in Taiwan

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the first cold wave of the year hit Taiwan, which has a subtropical climate, 99 people died from hypothermia over two days.

According to foreign media including Taiwan's Lianhebao on the 19th (local time), numerous non-traumatic deaths due to hypothermia occurred nationwide over two days from the 16th to 17th, including 20 in northern Taipei and 13 in Taoyuan.

According to statistics from Taiwan's Fire Department and Health Department, 121 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases occurred across Taiwan during the two days from the 16th to 17th. Additionally, foreign media reported that at least 68 elderly people suffering from internal diseases died within one day starting from the evening of the 16th.

At that time, Taiwan's average temperature was reported to be around 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. The fire authorities said that although the recent sharp increase in deaths cannot be definitively attributed to the cold wave, the power of the cold air mass was significant.

Subtropical climate regions like Taiwan often have average temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius even in midwinter, so many places are not properly equipped with heating devices. Therefore, when the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, the number of hypothermia patients increases. Previously, in January last year, Taiwan also experienced a sudden Arctic cold wave that caused 126 deaths over two days.

How to Prevent Hypothermia? ... Pay Attention to Maintaining Body Temperature

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body fails to maintain normal body temperature and the temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. When the body temperature falls below 32 degrees, consciousness becomes faint and breathing and pulse slow down. If it drops below 28 degrees, arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or hypotension may occur, which can lead to death. People with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are especially at higher risk of cold-related illnesses and should be cautious.

To prevent hypothermia, it is important to keep the body warm. For effective insulation, it is better to wear several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick garment. Additionally, when going outside, protect body parts prone to frostbite with ear muffs, gloves, and woolen socks.

Also, if you find a hypothermia patient, first move them to a warm place. At this time, if hypothermia is severe, there is a risk of arrhythmia symptoms, so the patient should be moved in the correct posture. Keep the patient's body horizontal and ensure the head is not higher than the heart. If the patient's clothes are wet, remove them to prevent heat loss and wrap the patient in a blanket.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.