Being hypothermic or having frostbite on any part of your body can be very dangerous. This is an interesting topic because it can happen to anyone at any time and if you are not prepared for it, it can be life threatening. If you just go out to play in the snow and you are not dressed warmly enough or all of your skin is covered, frostbite can develop and you are at risk of hypothermia. Even if it's not snowing and there isn't a cloud in the sky, you can develop hypothermia if it gets cold enough. If you plan to go hiking or skiing, you need to know what hypothermia is and what to do if you get frostbite, as it can lead to amputation of limbs and fingers. While skiing in Vermont over Christmas break, on the way down the mountain, my fingers started to hurt and were very cold. My father and I were going down to the foot of the mountain, it was our last run of the day. We were skiing in a minus 20 degree temperature. This sparked my interest in hypothermia and frostbite, because if we hadn't decided to get rid of the mountain frostbite that developed on my hands and fingers, I might have run the risk of amputate. The purpose of writing this article is to show how dangerous and deadly hypothermia and frostbite are if not taken care of properly. Frostbite occurs when your body's survival mechanism kicks in during extremely cold weather. Your body reduces circulation to your extremities such as your hands, feet, and nose to keep your vital organs and the inside of your body warm. When these parts of your body are exposed to cold, they receive less warm blood and eventually freeze. First-degree frostbite occurs when ice crystals begin to form on your skin. Second-degree frostbite occurs when your ski... middle of paper ......warming protects any affected body part from direct pressure and ensures the patient is well hydrated. Do not rub the frozen skin, try to warm it using a fire or stove, reheat it if there is a possibility of refreezing, and allow the tissues to refreeze if successfully thawed ( Simon, Bryan). Being hypothermic or having frostbite on any part of the skin. your body can be very dangerous. It's very easy to be caught off guard and not prepare for the effects on your body that hypothermia and frostbite create. If not handled properly, you could suffer limb amputation or even die. The statements made throughout this article have told us how to treat and prevent hypothermia. They also told us how to beware of frostbite and the damage it can cause to our bodies. Be aware of hypothermia and frostbite wherever you go and never get caught unawares and unprepared..