How to Warm Someone With Hypothermia

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can result in severe hypothermia.

According to WebMD's Dr. Benjamin Wedro, when a person's body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Centigrade, a condition known as hypothermia is in effect. Hypothermia is characterized by an increased flow of blood to vital organs -- like the brain, kidneys, heart and lungs -- from the skin and extremities. During this process, electrical activity of the cardiac and central nervous system slow down in response to the body's cold state. If not warmed up in time, hypothermia can result in organ failure and death.

Things You'll Need

• Blankets
• Towel
• Warm shelter
• Warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages
• Warm water
• Phone

Instructions

1. Cover the hypothermic person's head and neck with a hat and scarf if available. These will slow the loss of heat from the head. Move the person into a warm and dry shelter. Remove any wet clothes the person may be wearing since wet clothes accelerate the body's cooling process. Dry the person's skin gently with a towel. According to MayoClinic.com, rough or sudden movements may inadvertently send cold blood to the heart, causing irregular rhythms and possible cardiac shock. Put dry clothes on the hypothermic if the individual is conscious and begins to shiver when taken into a warm environment. This may be all that is needed to reverse the hypothermic process, according to MedicineNet experts.

2. Call emergency medical services (EMS). They will be able to ascertain the severity of hypothermia being suffered. WebMD explains that if a person's body temperature drops below 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Centigrade, the ability to shiver is lost and EMS services will be required.

3. Keep the head covered. Cover the dry, clothed person with blankets and aluminum foil if available. If the individual is showing signs of confusion or difficulty functioning, you may have to combine skin-to-skin contact with blankets over both of you to raise the hypothermic person's temperature. Skin-to-skin contact can be achieved by simply lying next to the person.

4. Monitor the person's breathing. If the person appears to not be breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation if able or wait for paramedics. Give a conscious, functioning hypothermic person warm beverages which are non-alcoholic and free of caffeine. Suitable beverages would be hot chocolate, apple cider or herbal tea. Prepare warm compresses by soaking rags or small towels in warm water. Do not use hot water. Hot water may cause skin burns if the person is suffering from frostbite. Apply the compresses only to the individual's groin, armpits, neck and chest. Wait for paramedics.

Tips & Warnings

• WebMD experts advise that the use of blankets will increase the shivering process and allow the body's core temperature to increase naturally. External heat sources like radiators will not help this process.

• MayoClinic.com explains that warm compresses applied to the legs or arms can force cold blood to the heart, resulting in death.

References

• MedicineNet: Hypothermia
• MayoClinic.com: Hypothermia Treatments and Drugs
• WebMD: Hypothermia Treatment
• WebMD: Hypothermia Treatment (continued)