Hypothermia Symptoms and Treatment for Hypothermia

Posted by Camp Trainer on Feb 19, 2009 in First Aid and Safety • No comments • 320 views

Hypothermia (commonly called “exposure sickness”) is the most common and dangerous of outdoor ailments. No one is immune to its icy grip. You can suffer hypothermia while climbing a mountain in Tibet or biking across Chicago. Dozens of people die from it each year.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. As blood is rushed to the vital organs, chilling spreads throughout the body. This is accompanied by clumsiness, slurred speech, and loss of judgment. Coma and death may result within a few hours if body temperature is not raised.

Hypothermics usually cannot identify their problem. They will maintain (often until death!) that they are “okay”. You must observe symptoms, diagnose correctly and treat quickly. Your friend’s life may depend on it. Check these symptoms:

Slurred speech, stiffness in limbs (difficulty walking) , an irrational view of reality. Victim acts irresponsibly – loses hat, mittens or other equipment along the trail. Loss of short-term memory.

Victim can’t walk in a straight line

Victim was shivering before and now shivering has stopped. Note: Mild shivering is nature’s way of rewarming the body. It does not indicate hypothermia. Hypothermia begins with violent shivering. Be aware, however that some people especially those who are overtired – do not exhibit a shivering reflex. So do not rely on shivering to ascertain hypothermia.

Hypothermia Treatment

Provide Shelter at once! Any place out of the wind and wet is good.

Replace wet clothing with dry. Be sure the victim’s head and beck are covered with warm clothing (hat, scarf,etc)

Apply moderate even heat. If a fire is available, use it. If there are several people in your party, have them loosely “hug” the victim to keep him or her as warm as possible. If the victim can swallow, hot soup (or water) will rewarm spirits and insides. Do not administer stimulants like alcohol, coffee or tea.

For serious cases (where the victim is unable to walk, suffers amnesia etc) administer the sandwich treatment. This consists of stripping the victim’s clothes and sandwiching him or her between 2 nonhypothermics. Cover the threesome with sleeping bags and clothing.

Be sure to insulate everyone from the cold ground (use a foam trail pad, additional clothing, leaves, grass branches etc). Hypothermics must be handled gently: Roughhousing may initiate a heart attack.