ESSENTIALS - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 767

often, frostbite leaves a numbing, bruised sensation, and the skin turns white. Exposed areas
of skin, especially the nose and ears, are most susceptible.
Hypothermia occurs when the body fails to produce heat as fast as it loses it. It can
strike at any time of the year but is more common during cooler months. Cold weather,
combined with hunger, fatigue, and dampness, creates a recipe for disaster. Symptoms are
not always apparent to the victim. The early signs are numbness, shivering, slurring of
words, dizzy spells, and, in extreme cases, violent behavior, unconsciousness, and even
death. The best way to dress for the cold is in layers, including a waterproof outer layer.
Most important, wear headgear. The best treatment is to get the victim out of the cold, re-
place wet clothing with dry, slowly give hot liquids and sugary foods, and place the victim
in a sleeping bag. Warming too quickly can lead to heart attacks.
CRIME
Although Vancouver and Victoria are generally safer than U.S. cities of the same size, the
same safety tips apply there as elsewhere in the world. Tourists, unused to their surround-
ings and generally carrying valuables such as cameras and credit cards, tend to be easy tar-
gets for thieves. You can reduce the risk of being robbed by using common sense. First and
foremost in Vancouver, avoid East Hastings Street, especially at night. It is known as one of
the seediest areas in all of Canada, so you should catch a bus or cab between downtown and
Chinatown to avoid this area. Wherever you are, avoid traveling or using ATMs at night,
try to blend in with the crowd by walking with a purpose (be discreet if reading a map out
in public), and don't wear expensive jewelry.
Information and Services
MONEY
As in the United States, Canadian currency is based on dollars and cents. Coins come in
denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents, and one and two dollars. The one-dollar coin is the
gold-colored “loonie,” named for the bird featured on it. The unique two-dollar coin is sil-
ver with a gold-colored insert. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations.
All prices quoted in this topic are in Canadian dollars unless noted. American dol-
lars are accepted at many tourist areas, but the exchange rate is more favorable at banks.
Currency other than U.S. dollars can be exchanged at most banks, airport money-chan-