How to Treat Hypothermia

Hypothermia can be a killer if not treated. This condition of lowered core body temperature, which can occur at temperatures as high as 13° Celsius (40° Fahrenheit), occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can be produced. Hypothermia can be particularly dangerous because it affects the mental and physical abilities of victims – they may not recognize that they are suffering from it or be able to help themselves if they do. Take these steps to treat someone who is suffering from hypothermia.

1. Be aware of conditions likely to lead to hypothermia. While extreme cold is one obvious condition, people are at risk for hypothermia at cool temperatures if they become chilled due to extended exposure outdoors, especially when wet. The following types of people are especially prone to hypothermia:
   
   
   • Anyone who has fallen into cold water.
   • The elderly, especially those with inadequate food, shelter or clothing
   • Infants (e.g., if they sleep in a cold room)
   • Those who are exposed to the cold for extended durations: hunters, hikers, the homeless, etc.
   • Alcohol and drug users
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2. Know the symptoms of hypothermia. Hypothermia onset usually begins with shivering and continues with other mental and physical symptoms. If you see someone who may have been exposed to the cold showing these symptoms, take action immediately:
   
   
   • Shivering (Note that in severe hypothermia, shivering will cease)
   • Exhaustion
   • Slurred speech, memory loss
   • Confusion
   • Drowsiness
   • Infants: Bright red and cold skin, very low energy
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3. Get the victim into a warm room or shelter. Preventing further heat loss is critical. Keep the victim protected from cold ground (put a dry, thick barrier between them and any cold surface) and shield from cold and wind (use your own body as a shield if necessary). Make sure that anything you use that touches the victim is dry.
4. Remove any wet clothing the victim is wearing. Wet clothing (and any wet blankets) will continue lowering the victim's body temperature as the water evaporates. If the person is unconscious or it's taking too long to remove the clothing, cut it off.
5. Take the person's temperature. If it is below 95°F (35°C), the situation is an emergency — get medical attention immediately!
6. Warm the victim. Hypothermia victims will need help to regain body temperature. However, don't rub or massage the victim; doing so can increase risks of cardiovascular problems. Use the following techniques:
   
   
   • Warm the center of the body. Focus on the chest, neck, head, and groin. If one is available, use an electric blanket. Otherwise, use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. Whatever you apply should be warm rather than hot--no hot water, heating pad or heating lamp--and do not attempt to warm the arms and legs, as this will push cold blood back toward the heart, lungs and brain, making things worse.
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   • With alert hypothermia victims, have them drink warm non-alcoholic drinks such as hot chocolate. (Alcohol will make it more difficult for their body to retain heat.) Avoid caffeinated beverages, which are diuretics and can cause heat loss. Beverages of any kind should not be given to an unconscious person. You can also provide snacks to provide energy for warmth. Sweet/high carbohydrate snacks can work well; trail mix or other foods that combine sugars and fats are ideal.
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   • After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
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7. Monitor the victim and await medical attention. Be alert for potential breathing or cardiovascular problems.

Tips

• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
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• A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
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• Victims of hypothermia are at risk for other complications such as frostbite ^[2]; be alert for cold damage to extremities.
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• Prevention is always better than having to give first aid! Read this article for tips on preventing a problem in the first place.
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• Water bottles filled with hot water and stuffed into socks make great heat compresses.

Source: WikiHow