How to Watch for Winter Signs of Hypothermia in Adults or Infants

There are some specific signs to look for in this winter time of year. Frigid temperatures can cause serious medical conditions. Here are a few signs of hypothermia.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• warm room or shelter
• dry blankets
• electric blanket
• warm beverages
• take them to get medical attention

1. 
    
   person shivering

   In adults, you may notice shivering and exhaustion if they have been outside for any period of time when the temperature is dangerously low, or the heat in their homes are not working or power has been turned off.

2. 
    
   person with hypothermia

   Many times you will notice that they seem confused, or disoriented. Their hands may be fumbling, and they have slurred speech. You try and talk with them, they seem to have memory loss or are to drowsy to speak.
   These are signs of hypothermia.

3. 
    
   hypothermia in baby

   Signs in Infants, are bright red, cold skin. They seem to have very low energy. Non-responsive.

4. 
    
   medical help

   Get medical attention immediately, if the person's temperature is below 95 degrees. Until you can get medical care, there are a few steps to begin warming the person.

5. 
    
   warm setting in a home

   Get the person into a warm room or if they are outdoors, and warm shelter.

6. 
    
   Electric blanket

   Remove their wet clothing, and warm the center of their body first. That would be their chest, neck, head, and groin. Use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets or if you have towels available. An electric blanket would be the best, if available.

7. 
    
   warm beverages, no alcholic drinks

   Warm liquids help increase the body temperature,but NO alcohol. Also don't force beverages to an unconscious person.

8. 
    
   warm blankets covering face and neck

   Keep person or infant wrapped in warm blankets, wrap their head and neck also, and get Medical help As soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep extra towels and blankets on hand at your house, electric blanket also
• Call 911
• If you've followed all these steps, and person remains unconscious, it may have been too late for them. Do not assign blame to yourself for their death.

Resources

• wikipedia on hypothermia

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 1/31/2009 These are great tips on looking for hypothermia in adults and infants.. thanks for the suggestions

[MariM]

on 1/20/2009 Great info. I get cold really easy.

[ctgenie99]

on 1/17/2009 Very informative on an important issue. I never knew that redness in toddlers could be a sign of hypothermia.