Hypothermia: a Problem for North Sea Industries

The North Sea is a thermally inhospitable environment for thoseworking above or below the water, and for any unfortunate enoughto be accidentally immersed in it. The low air temperaturescoupled with high wind speeds make working conditions abovethe surface both unpleasant and hazardous, while the low watertemperatures throughout the year make hypothermia and subsequentdrowning inevitable to those immersed in the sea for any butshort periods of time. The threat of hypothermia commences whenpersonnel board the service helicopter to be transported toan off-shore rig or barge, and remains until they step ashoreagain at the end of their duty period. This paper reviews some of the relevant applied physiologicalfacts concerning this potential problem, and offers some guidelineson the management of immersion victims who may be sufferingfrom hypothermia. ⁰Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Surg. Cdr F. St C. Golden, RN, Institute of Naval Medicine, Gosport, Hants.