Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Explore Channel4
4Car
Food
4Homes
News
Sport
See All
Alive header image

Arctic

  • Don't massage frostbite and try not to thaw it out unless you can be sure you can keep it thawed. Refreezing damaged tissue can be extremely dangerous and cause even more damage.


  • If left untreated, frostbite will cause the skin to turn white and may eventually lead to blistering and even become black if it turns gangrenous.


  • If unable to get medical attention try to keep the frostbitten area warm and dry. Wrap it in sterile dressing if available.


  • If feet are frostbitten don't try walking on them, this can extenuate the damage to the frostbitten tissue. Instead send out for help if possible.


  • To thaw part of the body affected by frostbite, immerse it in warm, not hot, water for about 30 minutes, circulating the water to aid the warming process.


Find out what it's like to get up close to raw nature
Lightning, hurricanes, tornados... and that's just the day job
When and why do sharks bite people?
Discuss human endurance and survival
Get your head round more science
Find out how you can avoid getting malaria

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of external websites.