Hypothermia is a condition where the body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be caused by injury or exposure to severe cold for an extended period of time, but it often occurs after spending time in cold water. The onset from mild hypothermia may begin with shivering and disorientation. Experts recommend removing wet clothing, replacing lost fluids and warming the patient gradually before rewarming them more quickly if necessary (3).
Hypothermia is a medical condition in which the body’s core temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. This can happen as a result of prolonged exposure to cold conditions, or from an underlying disease that causes the body to retain heat. It is very important to treat hypothermia, because it will lead to death if left untreated. Read more in detail here: how to treat hypothermia in the wilderness.
Hypothermia is often thought of as a disease that primarily affects individuals who are stranded in dangerous situations, such as being lost in a frozen Alaskan wilderness or falling into a deep freezing river. Hypothermia is a somewhat common occurrence.
Consider a short day trek that begins at a low height and ends in sunny weather. You work up a decent sweat in your cotton t-shirt while charging up, but you don’t take enough pauses to water or eat. The weather changes at the summit, rain or wind sets in, and you twist your ankle. Your cotton clothing is now functioning as a refrigerator, and the wind is simply making things worse by lowering your body temperature. At first, the symptoms seem to be modest. Shivering and a loss of coordination set in, although the symptoms fade with time and repeated exposure. Severe perplexity, a startling absence of shivering, and odd emotions of being overheated set in. You may even remove your clothing because you are so hot, hastening the process. A simple day trip has swiftly devolved into a potentially deadly situation.
Wear synthetic or wool clothing, check the weather prediction, remain dry, and stay fed and hydrated to avoid hypothermia. However, if you find yourself on the verge of death, knowing what to do might be the difference between life and death.
1: If you suspect hypothermia, contact 911 immediately. Then, until medical help comes, follow the procedures below.
2: Place the individual in a warm, dry location. Excessive movement, such as stroking or caressing their limbs, might cause cardiac arrest.
3: Carefully remove any damp garments and gently dry the skin (again, avoiding excessive movement).
4: Wrap the individual in blankets, coats, towels, or sleeping bags, focusing on the head and chest, to gradually raise their body temperature.
5: Encourage shivering and, if they can swallow, provide hot non-alcoholic liquids and high-energy snacks like chocolate to the individual.
6: Keep the sufferer warm and dry while monitoring their respiration and body temperature. CPR should be performed if respiration seems to have stopped.
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Mild hypothermia is when you have a body temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This can be treated with warm liquids, blankets, and resting in a warm place. Reference: mild hypothermia.
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