Drunk man falls from Amperbrücke and fights against hypothermia!

Drunk man falls from Amperbrücke and fights against hypothermia!

In a frightening overnight twist, a 42-year-old man threw himself from the Amper Bridge into the cold Amper River in Fürstenfeldbruck on Tuesday. The incident occurred after a social visit to a pub when the man was on his way home with a 28-year-old companion. It remains unclear why the man fell over the bridge barrier, as the police report. Luckily, he was able to hold on to a stone ledge under the bridge until firefighters arrived and rescued him from the water.

The rescue operation was urgently needed: the man was taken to the Bruck hospital with severe hypothermia. Such hypothermia, also known as hypothermia, can occur quickly, especially at low temperatures and in wet conditions. This often happens when the body's heat output exceeds heat production, a condition that many people overlook. People who spend long periods of time outdoors, especially after consuming alcohol, are particularly at risk.

Risks and first aid measures

Hypothermia initially manifests itself as cold hands and feet, trembling and tiredness. In the later stages, the affected person may lose control of bodily functions and even become unconscious. The situation is particularly critical when the core body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. First aid measures are crucial: those affected should be taken to a warm place, changed into wet clothing and covered with warm blankets. Warm, sugary drinks can also help balance your body temperature. However, active heat treatment using rubbing or hot water bottles is contraindicated as it can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

People with previous illnesses such as heart or nerve diseases are also particularly at risk. Alcohol can also increase the risk of hypothermia because it reduces the sensation of pain and disrupts body regulation. In emergencies like the one the 42-year-old experienced in Fürstenfeldbruck, it is even more important to act quickly and call the emergency services112to alert.

Dangers of frostbite

Also not to be neglected is frostbite, which can occur with prolonged exposure to cold. Signs range from numb, cold extremities to bluish-white discoloration of the skin. In more severe cases, blisters may form or even tissue death. First aid measures for frostbite include carefully covering the affected areas with germ-free material and avoiding attempts to move these areas of the body.

This incident in Fürstenfeldbruck once again raises awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption in conjunction with cold and water. Everyone should think carefully about how to behave in such situations and what safety precautions to take to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The average age of those affected usually ranges from younger adults to older people, who are often particularly vulnerable.

For more information about first aid for hypothermia and frostbite, take a look at the articles from German Red Cross and on the ADAC. These resources provide helpful emergency tips and guides to respond quickly and effectively.