How to Avoid & Detect Hypothermia

Hypothermia results when one’s internal body heat is exerted from the body. Heat shifts itself outward projecting towards colder regions, such as the air or cold water. When a humans body temperature drops below 95* the risk of hypothermia is increased greatly. It is a common misconception that this condition only occurs in extreme weather acclimating itself to colder environments, but hypothermia can occur just as easily in less severe weather an increase of wind, cold air or rain. Hypothermia can cause severe sickness and in some cases can result in death. It is important to understand the nature of hypothermia, what you can do to prevent it and how to identify it if you are going to be exposed to possible high risk weather.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Wear appropriate clothing. If you plan to be out in brash weather, wear layers that do not constrict the body’s ability to breath. If you find yourself sweating change into dry clothes and do what you can early on to prevent your body from becoming wet.

2. If you are wet, get to shelter immediately. If you do not have dry clothing or an item to blanket yourself with locate items in your environment that you might be able to cover yourself in or light a fire.

3. Drink something warm, preferably a high sugar drink.

4. Be aware of what your body is telling you. Watch for signs and symptoms of hypothermia. Some symptoms to be alert for are: shivering and numbness of the body, difficulty speaking/lethargy,
   Mind wandering/drifting, uncontrollable shivering as body temperature decreases and just as easily the shivering ends as the muscles begin to stiffen, loss of body movement, skin becomes discolored, although it may not be easily visible watch for signs of disorientation, irrational or belligerent behavior are also indicators that there is a problem

5. Pay attention to pulse, as the heartbeat slows heart and lung’s are beginning to stop functioning and you are now dealing with a life threatening onset and will need to get immediate medical attention

6. What to do when you’ve been exposed- get out of wind immediately. Seek help without hesitation. If you need to leave your surroundings prepare for the exposure.

7. If you are with someone who is affected by hypothermia and need to leave them, do what you can to assure them you will be back that you are only going to get help. Cover them with as much warm, dry clothing as possible. ( do not risk exposure to hypothermia yourself).

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave hypothermia untreated.
• Always seek emergency medical care.
• Do not use this advice as a substitute for medical attention.