Hypothermia:
- Move somewhere warm.
- Replace wet clothes.
- Wrap in blankets.
- Give them a warm drink.
- Call 999.
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when someone’s body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F). Normal body temperature is around 37°C (98. 6°F). Hypothermia can become life-threatening quickly, so it’s important to treat someone with hypothermia straight away.
Signs and symptoms
Look for:
- shivering, cold and pale with dry skin
- unusually tired, confused and have irrational behaviour
- reduced level of response
- slow and shallow breathing
- slow and weakening pulse
A baby with hypothermia may be:
- cold to touch
- floppy
- unusually quiet and sleepy and may refuse to feed
What to do
Treating hypothermia outdoors
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If the casualty is outside, try to get them indoors. If you are unable to get them indoors, try to take them to a sheltered place as quickly as possible, shielding the casualty from the wind.
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Remove and replace any wet clothing and make sure their head is covered.
- Do not give them your clothes - it is important for you to stay warm yourself.
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Try to protect the casualty from the ground. Lay them on a thick layer of dry, insulating material such as pine branches, heather, or bracken. If possible, put them in a dry sleeping bag and/or cover them with blankets. If available, wrap them in a foil survival blanket. You can use your own body to shelter them and keep them warm.
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Call 999 or 112 for emergency help.
- Do not leave the casualty alone. Somebody must be with them at all times. If you are in a remote area and cannot call for emergency help, send two people to get help together.
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If the casualty is fully alert, offer them warm drinks and high energy food such as chocolate.
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Monitor their breathing and level of responsiveness while waiting for help to arrive.
Treating hypothermia indoors
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If you are indoors, cover the casualty with layers of blankets and warm the room to about 25°C (77°F).
- Do not place any direct heat such as hot water bottles or fires near a casualty as they may cause burns.
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Give them something warm to drink, like soup, and/or high-energy food, like chocolate.
- Do not give the casualty alcohol in an attempt to warm them - it will make hypothermia worse.
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If there is no obvious reason for the casualty to have hypothermia, seek medical advice. Hypothermia could be disguising a more serious illness such as a stroke, heart attack or an underactive thyroid gland.
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Monitor their breathing and level of responsiveness until they recover.
