If your child is going on an outdoor adventure, be sure they are adequately clothed and they are wearing layers. Hypothermia can happen even on a summer day, and wind and moisture can increase the effect. One of the best ways to help maintain body heat is to wear a hat, and be sure your child understands to wear it. Identifying hypothermia and taking proper action as early as possible is the responsibility of the group leaders. People who suffer from hypothermia typically deny they have a problem, and can even be combative.
Frostbite is caused when the fluid inside the cells of body tissue freeze.
As the fluid freezes it expands, rupturing the cells. Frostbite typically starts on the extremities, the nose, earlobes, toes, fingers, cheeks, and moves toward the core of the body. Frostbite typically has a cascading effect. As a part of the body becomes chilled blood flow is restricted in an attempt to save heat and prevent hypothermia, which lowers the temperature further causing more damage. Frostbite prevention is also the parent's responsibility.