Signs of hypothermia and how to warm someone

Teach: Signs of hypothermia and how to warm someone

What to say

Hypothermia starts with shivering, clumsy hands, slurred words and stumbling, and turns dangerous when shivering stops and the person grows drowsy or confused. Call 911, get them out of wind and wet, take off wet clothes, insulate them from the ground, and wrap them in dry layers. Give warm sweet drinks only if they are alert and can swallow.

What to show, in order

1. Watch for early signs in others and yourself: shivering, fumbling hands, stumbling, mumbling and grumpiness.
2. Get the person out of the wind, rain or cold water, into a tent, car or building if possible.
3. Call 911 if they are confused, very drowsy, or have stopped shivering while still cold.
4. Remove wet clothing gently and replace it with dry layers, a hat and gloves.
5. Put insulation under them, such as a sleeping pad or pack, since the ground pulls heat away.
6. Wrap them in blankets or a sleeping bag, and put warm packs or bottles wrapped in cloth on the chest, neck, armpits and groin.
7. Give warm, sweet, non-alcoholic drinks only if they are fully alert and can swallow.
8. Handle a severely cold person gently and keep them lying flat until help arrives.

When to stop and call a professional

• Call 911 for confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, loss of shivering while cold, or a weak or slow pulse.
• If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR and continue until help arrives.
• Any hard, pale or numb patches of skin may be frostbite: do not rub them; get medical care.

The check question

Ask: A cold hiker stops shivering and becomes drowsy. What does that mean? Answer: Hypothermia is getting worse; call 911

From EveryManKnows. General information, not professional advice.