Concerning self-rescue, when does loss of fine motor control occur relative to core temperature drop?
Answer
It sets in before significant core body temperature drop defines hypothermia
A critical safety distinction lies in the timing of Cold Incapacitation (CI) relative to systemic hypothermia. CI involves the rapid cooling of peripheral limbs leading to neuromuscular failure, making actions like gripping or pulling impossible. This loss of functional ability often manifests within the first few minutes (after the initial shock) and precedes the stage where the core body temperature has fallen low enough to be medically defined as fatal hypothermia. This means an individual can be mentally capable of recognizing danger but physically paralyzed by cold neuromuscular failure before true core hypothermia sets in.
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