How to Seek Medical Attention for Hypothermia Victims

If you notice someone in the beginning stages of hypothermia, you should act quickly to warm them and then seek medical attention if it is needed. Hypothermia victims have a greater likelihood of survival if they are treated promptly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thermometer

Seek Medical Attention for Victims of Hypothermia

1. Use a thermometer to take the temperature of the suspected hypothermia victim. If the temperature is below 95 degrees, you should get medical attention immediately. Call 911 for an ambulance instead of waiting for your regular doctor.

2. Avoid using a glass thermometer as hypothermia victims may thrash around, breaking the thermometer. Also, normal household thermometers often do not go low enough to check body temperature accurately.

3. Try to warm a person in the beginnings stages of hypothermia (who is still awake). Have her drink warm liquids, remove wet clothing and cover up with thick blankets. Seek medical attention as soon as possible by calling for an ambulance or driving the victim to the emergency room.

4. Call an ambulance to transfer unconscious hypothermia victims to the hospital. Paramedics can begin warming the victims and providing life saving techniques as soon as they arrive.

5. Be gentle moving an unconscious victim. You should avoid moving the body unless you absolutely must, but if you cannot wait for medical attention, be sure to keep the person in a horizontal position as you transfer him.

6. Wait for the ambulance to arrive. If you are stranded in a car during snow conditions, try tying a brightly colored piece of cloth to your antenna to alert the ambulance or helicopter to your location.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent further heat loss while waiting for medical assistance. If possible, take the person to a warmer environment. Be sure to shield the victim from wind, remove wet clothing and begin administrating CPR, if necessary.
• Start CPR on an unconscious person while you wait for medical attention, even if you believe the person is dead. Hypothermia victims have been known to make a complete recovery, even hours after cardiac arrest.
• Do not warm victims too quickly. Warm hypothermic victims from the center first (chest, neck, head and groin). Warming the arms and legs first can cause cold blood to circulate through the system, leading to cardiac arrest.
• Do not give the victim any alcohol, which can reduce circulation and cause loss of body heat. Instead, give her warm tea or hot chocolate.

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