How to Treat Moderate Hypothermia

If you recognize someone is moderately 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:

• Chemical Heat Pack
• Fleece Jackets
• Waterproof Hats
• Waterproof Jackets
• Waterproof Mittens
• Waterproof Pants
• Wicking Underwear
• Wool Sweaters
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• First Aid Kits
• Hot Water Bottles
• Low-reading Body Thermometers
• Waterproof Gloves
• Camp-stove Fuels
• Camping Cookwares
• Camping Stoves
• Sleeping Bags
• Sleeping Pads
• Tents With Rain Fly
• Hot water bottles
• Waterproof jackets

Treatment: Prevent Further Heat Loss

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 the person 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. Insulate the person from the ground and the surrounding cold by having him or her lie in a sleeping bag on a sleeping pad.

Treatment: Rewarming

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

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

9. Place hot water bottles (filled with hot water) and/or chemical heat packs inside the sleeping bag and against the clothing of the hypothermic person.

10. Build a fire near the person, but take care that it isn't close enough to risk catching anything on fire.

11. Monitor closely for changes in level of consciousness: A worsening condition may indicate severe hypothermia (see "How to Treat Severe Hypothermia").

Prevention and Assessment

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

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

14. Treat for moderate 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 at all possible, zip two sleeping bags together and have a (non-hypothermic) rescuer lie in the bags with the hypothermic person as an extra source of heat.
• Wrap the hot water bottles and chemical heat packs in socks or some other form of dry insulation to prevent damage to clothing.
• For greatest efficiency, place the hot water bottles and/or heat packs in the following places: in the hands, on the neck, on the chest, on the stomach, on the abdomen, in the groin.
• Place as many dry, insulating layers as possible on top of the sleeping bag, as well as over any places where heat might be prone to escape, such as the opening of the sleeping bag.
• 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.
• Avoid alcohol, which could contribute to dehydration and impair judgment.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine, which also exacerbate dehydration.
• Do not place water bottles or heat packs against naked skin.
• 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 is generally after at least one good night's sleep; a big, hot meal; and a few liters of water.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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