Nature, as you know, has no bad weather. But there are some consequences of the weather that can cause a lot of problems. Including health. In winter, the most dangerous of them is icy conditions.
Ice and black ice are different concepts, although very similar. Black ice is ice formed when meltwater freezes, which makes the road slippery. Ice is a natural phenomenon - the formation of a layer of ice due to the freezing of raindrops or drizzle at a temperature close to zero. Ice covers both roads and roofs of houses, tree branches, and wires. That is why during icy conditions you should look not only at your feet, but also up. This will help protect against falling icicles or broken branches. However, icy conditions are no less dangerous. It can persist on sidewalks and roadways for a long time, especially if they are not cleaned or sprinkled with sand or reagents.
The most common injuries caused by ice are leg fractures. Among them are ankle fractures with a dislocated foot and damage to the ankle joint, as well as a helical fracture of the tibia.
Hand injuries are no less common during the cold season. After all, when falling, a person instinctively tries to put his hand forward and lean on it. Displaced fractures and concussions often occur during icy conditions.
Falling into ice does not always end with such sad consequences. Milder injuries are bruises and sprains - integral companions of slippery streets. But even if you have received a seemingly “minor” injury, you should not neglect a visit to the doctor. There are often situations when only a specialist can distinguish a bruise from a fracture. This is especially true for victims with a high pain threshold.
Of course, there are certain signs of a fracture. But the most common of them, such as pain, swelling, dysfunction, are relative. They are typical for both a broken arm or leg and a bruise. It is this fact that misleads many. People are in no hurry to see doctors, preferring treatment with ointments and compresses. In the event of a fracture, such “therapy” will only worsen the situation: the broken bone may become displaced and then recovery will take much longer.
The most common victims of ice are the elderly. Those who suffer from osteoporosis are also at risk. Lack of calcium in the body, poor environment, unbalanced diet, and lack of physical activity lead to bones becoming fragile. As a result, you can get a fracture even from a minor blow.
Quite often, people get “ice” fractures while intoxicated. This is due to weakening of their muscle tone. Moreover, being “under the influence”, a person can ignore pain for some time, even with a serious injury. Thus, he misses the opportunity to see a doctor in a timely manner.
To prevent such injuries, you should think about your shoes and gait. It is advisable to purchase shoes with a deep tread pattern, the elements of which are directed in different directions. The preferred sole material is thermoplastic elastomer. The polyurethane tread glides much more in the cold. You can apply a layer of glue to the soles of existing slippery boots or shoes. Another way is to glue pieces of sandpaper. And a very simple option is an adhesive plaster. It won't last long, but it will help ensure stability even in the most severe ice conditions. It is better for the fair sex to avoid wearing heels in slippery weather. After all, the larger the area of contact of the sole with the ground, the more stable our position. That is why you should step into ice with your entire foot at once. You need to move slowly, in small steps, your legs should be relaxed, the center of gravity shifted slightly forward. If possible, it is advisable not to carry anything in your hands; you should also not hold them in karmanah. Hands are our balancer, helping to maintain balance.
If you suddenly feel yourself losing your balance, you should sit down to prevent yourself from falling backward. At this moment you need to group yourself, tense all your muscles, pull your head into your shoulders so as not to hit the ground. Try not to put your hands and elbows forward, this is a direct path to a fracture. Fall with the entire surface of your body, preferably on your side, then roll to absorb the energy from the fall. It is advisable to wear a hat in icy conditions, even if the frost is not severe. It will not only protect against colds, but also soften the blow in case of a fall.
Never walk on the edge of the sidewalk next to the roadway. Also, when waiting for the bus, do not stand at the edge of the stop. Losing balance in this position threatens not just a fall, but also the danger of getting run over. Do not under any circumstances cross the roadway. It is better to lose a few minutes and calmly cross the street in the absence of cars than to find yourself helplessly lying in the middle of the road. Remember the drivers too. Stopping a car in icy conditions, even at low speed, is not so easy. Therefore, when approaching a pedestrian crossing, do not rush to enter the roadway, wait until the cars stop moving.
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