Providing first aid for hypothermia

Even if you prefer exploring nature during the warmer parts of the year, being able to care for someone with hypothermia is an important skill to develop. If left untreated, hypothermia can be fatal. This post will provide you with clear instructions for providing first aid for hypothermia.

Hypothermia results when a person’s body temperature drops below 95˚ F. A person with hypothermia loses heat faster than his or her body can produce it. Generally, hypothermia results from either prolonged exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water. Exhaustion and dehydration can increase the risk of hypothermia.

Hypothermia develops slowly. If a person experiences a combination of the following symptoms, he or she may have hypothermia:

·      Shivering

·      Slurred or incoherent speech

·      Confusion

·      Loss of consciousness

·      Memory loss

·      Drowsiness or lack of energy

·      Numbness in hands or feet

·      Shallow, slow breathing

·      Weak pulse

·      Lack of coordination

·      Bright red, cold skin (in infants)

To care for someone with hypothermia, follow these steps immediately:

1. Call 911.

Note: In many outdoor situations, calling 911 may not be an option because of a lack of cell service or the isolation of your location. In these situations, proceed with the rest of the following steps.  

   

2. Remove the person from the cold. Head indoors if possible.

Note: If heading inside is not an option, make sure the person is sheltered from the wind and cold ground.

3. If the person is not breathing, coughing, moving, or showing other signs of life, begin CPR while performing the remaining steps. Continue CPR until help arrives or the person begins to breathe.   

Note: A future post will address the correct way to perform CPR. Be sure you understand how to perform CPR.

Note: Hypothermia causes a person’s breathing to slow, and you might not be able to detect a pulse.

4.     Carefully remove wet clothing and dry the person, if applicable.

5.     Cover the person with dry clothing or blankets. Be sure to wrap both the person’s head and neck.

6.     Warm the person gradually. Using warm, dry compresses or an electric blanket are potential methods of accomplishing this. Chemical hot packs or hot water bottles—if wrapped in some sort of fabric—are also useful.

Note: When using compresses, apply them to the torso and neck of the person.

Warning: To avoid burns, ensure that chemical hot packs or hot water bottles are not in direct contact with the person’s skin. Wrap such items in fabric, such as a towel.

Warning: To avoid heart arrhythmia, do not warm the person too quickly. Hot baths or heating lamps will warm the person too quickly. Furthermore, do not heat or massage the person’s limbs, as this can stress his or her heart and lungs and possibly cause shock.

7.     Give the person something warm to drink. Sweet drinks are appropriate, but alcoholic or caffeinated drinks are not.  

Warning: Alcohol prevents the person from warming. Do not give the person any alcohol. Furthermore, do not give the person any tobacco products; tobacco interferes with circulation, which hinders warming.

8.     Seek the help of health care professionals. Get the person to a hospital as soon as possible.

Note: More advanced treatment options such as intravenous fluids and warm oxygen are available at a hospital.

While I hope you never need to perform first aid for hypothermia, understanding how to do so could save someone’s life. Hopefully having read this post will make you feel more comfortable as you head out on your next outdoor adventure.

Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-hypothermia/basics/art-20056624
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/hypothermia-treatment