How to Treat Mild Hypothermia

If you recognize someone as mildly hypothermic (see "How to Recognize and Assess Hypothermia"), begin treatment right away to prevent worsening of the condition. This could save his or her life.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fleece Jackets
• Waterproof Hats
• Waterproof Jackets
• Waterproof Mittens
• Waterproof Pants
• Wicking Underwear
• Wool Sweaters
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• First Aid Kits
• Low-reading Body Thermometers
• Waterproof Gloves
• Camp-stove Fuels
• Camping Cookwares
• Camping Stoves
• Tents With Rain Fly
• Waterproof jackets

Treatment

1. Remove the affected person from the cold, wet and/or windy environment.

2. Dry the person off, replacing wet clothing with dry clothing.

3. Shelter the person however possible: in a cave, under an overhang, in an improvised shelter such as a tent or under a rain fly.

4. Make sure he or she is wearing a dry hat: A large percentage of body-heat loss occurs through the head.

5. Cover the neck with something dry: A lot of heat is also lost through the neck.

6. Prepare a warm (not hot) beverage with your camp stove and have the hypothermic person drink it.

7. Encourage the person to eat carbohydrate-rich foods.

8. Encourage the person to move around, generating heat and helping with rewarming.

Prevention and Assessment

9. Do everything in your power to prevent hypothermia before it occurs (see "How to Prevent Hypothermia").

10. Assess the degree of hypothermia (see "How to Recognize and Assess Hypothermia").

11. Treat for mild hypothermia, if that's what you diagnose.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the warm beverage a sweet one, to provide sugar (extra energy) for rewarming.
• Fluids are more important than solids, even if cold: If the choice is between cold fluids and no fluids, choose cold fluids.
• If the person is not at least "A and O times 3" on the Level of Consciousness scale (see "How to Assess Level of Consciousness"), do not administer food or liquids. This person is probably at least moderately hypothermic; treat accordingly (see "How to Treat Moderate Hypothermia").
• Avoid alcohol, which could contribute to dehydration and impair judgment.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine, which also exacerbate dehydration.
• If this treatment doesn't return the person to normal, re-assess and treat for more severe forms of hypothermia (see related eHows).
• Hypothermia can strike in any season, especially in the high country. Keep a close eye on the weather wherever you go in the wilderness, and adjust your plans as necessary to avoid the risk of hypothermia.
• Hypothermia can and does kill. Prevention is the best medicine! (See "How to Prevent Hypothermia.")
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing - including footwear - which might impair circulation.
• Be certain the person is completely rewarmed, rehydrated and revitalized before returning to the cold environment.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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on 11/22/2005 Because a great deal of body heat is lost through the head you could warm up a little quicker by placing a piece of folded tin-foil under your hat on top of your head.