Mark and Kyra Doing Dumb Stuff Pt 2 (Written by Kyra Organa)

How To Survive Hypothermia

Kyra and Mark began to ascend Mount Washington. As the climbed to the top, the temperatures steadily decreased until they stabilized at around 45 degrees. “It’s the middle of July!” Mark cried, “How on earth is it so cold! We didn’t bring a jacket or anything.” “Well, it is called the White Mountains,” Kyra shrugged, but it was hard to tell if it was a shiver or not. As they continued to walk to the peak (which Kyra had earlier that day claimed that she didn’t believe Mark could make it) they began to pant heavily. “I-It’s the th-thin air,” Kyra mumbled, barely audible, praying it wasn’t because she was out of shape. “Yeah,” Mark said, “Let’s just sit down. We should just take a nice break.” Kyra nodded and leaned against a tree. “I’m b-blue!” Mark stuttered a few minutes later, looking down at his hands. “B-blue?” Kyra asked “Y-yeah, look down at your hands,” Mark said. Kyra did so. “B-blue!” she slurred, a slightly delusional smile resting on her face. “Wha-what’s happening?” Mark shivered. Kyra’s eyes widened, “Hy-hypothermia!” “W-what?” Mark said. “W-we gotta call help,” Kyra said, more alert. “Y-you didn’t answer my question,” sighed Mark, “W-why do we e-even need h-help? We’re fine!” Kyra obviously disliked the idea of getting assistance as much as Mark did. “‘C-cause,” she said matter-of-factly, “H-hypothermia c-can easily be f-fatal if you don’t get p-proper treatment.” Fumbling through her backpack, she pulled out a phone. She flipped on the devise and began to numbly type in “911.” “911; what’s your emergency?” the operator said. “We-we’ve got—,” Mark began. “H-hypothermia,” Kyra interrupted. “Where are you?” the operator asked. “Uh, the W-white m-mountains, “ said Kyra. “W-washington M-mountain; 3/4’s up,” Mark clarified. “Who’s in your party?” “T-t-two people, One male, the other female,” Kyra said. “The U.S. Forest Service will come and get you.” “H-how?” Kyra and Mark asked simultaneously. “A helicopter,” the operator replied. Kyra and Mark turned to each other and grinned, “Awesome.” While waiting for the helicopter, they moved out of the shade and into the sun. A little bit less than thirty minutes later, a bright orange helicopter began to circle the mountain. Kyra and Mark jumped to their feet and began to yell help, waving their arms in the air like lunatics. Kyra, so excited to see the rescue, waved her arms a bit too passionately and accidentally knocked Mark off the rock they were perched on. Right before he slid down, he grabbed Kyra’s ankle, hoping to stop his fall. “Mark!” Kyra yelled as they both fell off the rock and painfully onto the earth. “Kyra!” Mark frowned. “Your fault!” they said together, but then promptly burst into laughter. Kyra and Mark untangled themselves and then attempted to stand. They both crumpled to the ground in pain. “My leg!” Kyra cried. “Yeah,” Mark grimaced, “I think we broke it or something.” “Let’s just hope they find us,” Kyra said. They waved their arms franticly. The helicopter began to hover above their location. “Man, when we get back home, Steve is gonna get a serious talking-to,” joked Mark. “You have no idea,” Kyra sighed.