KICKED OUT IN THE COLD

Vermilion Police Officer Carl Johnson was on patrol last night in the area of Ohio & Perry Streets when he heard shouting. Officer Johnson located an intoxicated male lying on a front porch with no shoes and a short sleeved shirt. The Officer reported that the man was lying in a pile of feces and had sustained frostbite injuries to his exposed feet.

The male, who was incoherent and suffering from shock, was unable to walk due to his injuries. North Central EMS Paramedics treated and transported the male to Community Health Partners Emergency Room for further treatment.

Vermilion Police were only able to determine that the male had been in a fight with his girlfriend who had kicked him out of their house. It was unknown how long he had been exposed to the 3 degree temperature before Officer Johnson found him.

Vermilion Police Chief Kish and the Vermilion Police Department wish to commend Officer Johnson for his alertness on patrol stating, “he certainly saved the mans life”.

CLASS TIME
Frostbite is the medical condition whereby damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. At or below -15° C (5° F), blood vessels close to the skin start to narrow (constrict). This helps to preserve core body temperature. In extreme cold or when the body is exposed to cold for long periods, this protective strategy can reduce blood flow in some areas of the body to dangerously low levels. The combination of cold temperature and poor blood flow can cause tissue injury. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart, and those with a lot of surface area exposed to cold. These areas include the toes, fingers, ears and nose. It is related, but not identical, to hypothermia. The early stages of frostbite are sometimes called "frostnip".

Class dismissed!