
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 20, 1994                   TAG: 9401250275
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV14   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HAVE A GOOD TIME, BUT . . .

Being outdoors in the cold weather can be invigorating, but if you're not prepared, you can suffer from frostbite or even hypothermia, a condition in which body temperature drops to a life-threatening level. Here are some tips from Dr. Marc Siegel of New River Valley Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, and Dr. Terry Colpitts of Montgomery Regional Hospital, to make your winter outings safer and more enjoyable:

Always wear a hat and scarf. Fifty to 70 percent of your body heat is lost through the neck and head.

In strenuous cold weather activities, such as running or cross-country skiing, be sure to stretch by running in place or starting out at a slow jog.

In extremely cold weather, try a lycra or neoprene face mask. Be sure to wear shoes with a good tread to avoid slips on ice or snow.

If temperatures drop below 10 degrees, especially when wind chill is a factor, runners should consider moving indoors for exercise to avoid the burning-freezing that can occur in the lungs.

Drink plenty of liquids during cold weather activities. It is harder to detect signs of dehydration in cold weather than in warm weather.

In sub-zero temperatures and with wind velocities gusting to 30 mph, flesh can freeze in a matter of minutes. Be sure to cover extremities - hands, face and ears.

by CNB