Even in the winter, college students love to go out and let loose on the weekends, but it is imperative that you and your friends take safety precautions.
Alcohol not only affects decision-making, but it also makes you more susceptible to dehydration, hypothermia, and frostbite.
When you are drinking, you may feel warmer than you are. According to an article written by the Cleveland Clinic, alcohol can make your body lose heat faster. “When you drink, your blood vessels dilate, sending more blood to your skin. It makes you feel warmer, but you’re actually losing your body heat to the outside environment faster.”
In addition, you will have to urinate more when you drink alcohol, as it is a diuretic. You may become dehydrated and more susceptible to hypothermia as a result.
It is important to know the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite and how you can help yourself or others that may start showing signs.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a list of the warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite that includes, shivering, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion, and exhaustion. Symptoms of frostbite are numbness, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and a white or grayish-yellow skin area. If you or someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, get medical care as soon as possible.
The CDC also has lists of what to do if immediate medical care is not possible in either situation which is easily accessible on their website.
Here are some tips to make sure you and all your friends stay safe:
- Bundle up. Even if you are going to be inside a bar or a frat, you still need to stay warm for the walk or the drive. You can even wear layers to avoid getting frostbite or hypothermia.
- Have a walking buddy. While you should never walk alone at night while intoxicated, you especially shouldn’t in the winter. Accidents happen.
- New York State 911 Good Samaritan Law. On the New York State website, it states: ”This law allows people to call 911 without fear of arrest if they are having a drug or alcohol overdose that requires emergency medical care or if they witness someone overdosing”. This law is in effect even if you are under 21.
- Eat before drinking. It is always important to eat a fatty or high-carb meal before inserting alcohol into your body.
- Alternate alcohol and water or other non-alcoholic beverages. This will help to avoid drinking too much and to keep you hydrated.
- Don’t consume drinks that are too cold. Cold drinks, when consumed in the cold, can lower your body temperature, irritate your throat, and affect your immune system. One thing you want to avoid in the winter is getting sick.
As long as you take the precautions listed in this article, you can both have a great time going out during the winter, and remain safe.