How to Diagnose and Treat Hypothermia

Signs of the onset of hypothermia include feeling cold (in the hands and feet in particular), slurring speech, shivering and a loss of balance and coordination. The following steps can protect you from the serious situation of hypothermia.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hot Chocolates
• Hot Water Bottles
• Sleeping Bags
• Hot water bottles

1. Understand that when serious hypothermia sets in, shivering stops because the victim can no longer get warm without help.

2. Watch for signs of the victim becoming irrational and angry, no longer being able to stand, becoming listless or appearing to be dead.

3. Find shelter and change into dry clothes to treat mild hypothermia.

4. Get into a sleeping bag and drink hot and sweet drinks, avoiding coffee and tea (caffeine can make dehydration worse).

5. Fill hot water bottles, wrap them in clothing and put them in the sleeping bag.

6. Begin rescue breathing to treat serious hypothermia, and then find shelter and do everything as outlined above. Rewarming may take 24 hours or more.

7. Zip together two or more sleeping bags and put warm, dry rescuers in the sleeping bag with the victim.

8. Evacuate the victim by helicopter if possible.

Tips & Warnings

• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[mrweinstein]

on 1/15/2009 before you become hypothermic---one of the most effiecient tools to preserving heat is putting a hat on your head-your brain generates and can loose significant heat

[mrweinstein]

on 1/15/2009 i think that placing warm humans in contact asap when hypothermia has set in is most important. Placing a person who cannot generate heat into a sleeping bag alone makes no sense. Begin actions when person is shivering and cannot stop...this generates heat-sleeping bag could be helpful most at this time. Drinking warm beverages can also help. M.Weinstein, MD