A Survey of Accidental Hypothermia Knowledge among Navy Members in China and the Implications for Training

Abstract

Objectives: Accidental hypothermia (AH) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to significant morbidity and life-long effects. Navy personnel are always at a greater risk of AH due to frequent outdoor work, wilderness exposure, prolonged immobility and exhaustion. The purpose of the survey was to assess Chinese Navy members’ awareness of AH and to make recommendations with regard to better measures for improving it. Methods: 111 Navy members completed a written questionnaire that was subsequently analyzed. Results: 30.6% of the respondents have experienced AH and 64.9% rated their knowledge of AH as “low” or “none”. Over half of them identified the initial symptom of AH as obvious shivering (69.4%) and apathy (45.0%). As for the aggravate symptoms, 60.9% chose the wrong answer of more obvious shivering instead of the right one—absence of shivering (5.4%). In the case of the treatment of mild AH, more than half of the respondents chose the wrong answers. Conclusions: This study suggests that the basic skills of recognition and treatment of AH are inadequate in the Chinese Navy. Further work is required to develop a systematical, comprehensive and corresponding education method that would promote correct actions during AH.

Rewarming rats at 37˚C rescues hypothermia with significant changes in IL-1β levels in the intestinal tissue and blood

“…When the central body temperature is < 32˚C, cardiac dysfunction occurs. When the central body temperature is < 28˚C, dysfunction of the respiratory system, circulatory system, nervous system and coagulation system is observed, which may progress to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) [11,12]. The longer the period of immersion in seawater, the greater the extent of deterioration of organs.…”

Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment

“…Whilst stings were relatively common, the knowledge base of the sailors was not extensive and the study found better education and training were needed to address this problem. Training and information were also key issues in a survey of hypothermia in the Chinese navy among 111 navy members conducted by Li and others [16]. The results suggested the recognition and treatment of accidental hypothermia at that time were inadequate in the Chinese Navy and extensive education programmes were needed on the subject.…”