ESSENTIALS - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 563

Giardia
Giardiasis, also known as beaver fever, is a real concern for those who drink water from
backcountry water sources. It's caused by an intestinal parasite, Giardia lamblia, that lives
in lakes, rivers, and streams. Once ingested, its effects, although not instantaneous, can be
dramatic; severe diarrhea, cramps, and nausea are the most common. Preventive measures
should always be taken. Pristine ( www.advancechemicals.ca ) is a Canadian company that
has developed water bottles with built-in filters; the alternative is boiling water for at least
10 minutes or treating with iodine.
Winter Travel
Travel through the Canadian Rockies during winter months should not be undertaken
lightly. Before setting out in a vehicle, check antifreeze levels, and always carry a spare
tire and blankets or sleeping bags. Frostbite is a potential hazard, especially when cold
temperatures are combined with high winds (a combination known as windchill ). Most of-
ten it 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 year but is more common during cooler months. Cold weather, com-
bined 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,
dizziness, 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 im-
portant, wear headgear. The best treatment for hypothermia is to get the patient out of the
cold, replace 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.
Information and Services
All prices quoted in this guidebook are in Canadian dollars and cents unless otherwise
noted.
Canadian currency is based on dollars and cents, with 100 cents equal to one dollar.
Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents, and one and two dollars. The
11-sided, gold-colored, one-dollar coin is known as a “loonie” for the bird featured on it.