Without intervention hypothermia progresses rather rapidly from mild to moderate to severe. Self administered treatments can be effective for mild or moderate hypothermia, but a severe condition always requires assistance since the victim loses awareness or consciousness. Knowing what to do before the condition becomes severe can prolong life until help arrives.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety advises that whole body shivering is often the first sign the body is losing heat at a dangerous rate. Losing feeling or flexibility in hands is also an early sign the body is succumbing to the cold. At this point the person experiencing early stage hypothermia may dismiss the discomfort as nothing more than bothersome. However, long term effects of frozen flesh and decreased circulation can result.
Prolonged exposure results in an escalation of shivering, decreased muscle coordination, and sluggishness. As hypothermia escalates, the shivering becomes violent and mild confusion may occur. The person experiencing moderate hypothermia begins to lose the ability to think rationally or make life saving decisions.
Helping Yourself Until Help Arrives
The person experiencing mild hypothermia should seek help or medical attention, but can treat themselves in an emergency. If they are stranded and help is not available it is important they find or make a shelter to protect them from further exposure. Since rescue workers will be looking for their automobile, travelers should stay in it or nearby.
It is vital that wet clothing be removed and replaced with dry covering. If a knife is available, automobile seat covers make an excellent emergency blanket and the seat padding can serve as insulation to help retain body heat. An alternate shelter might be made from natural materials like tree branches. Snow cave shelters have been used for centuries to weather intense cold or storms. Preventing mild hypothermia from progressing to moderate or severe is key if the victim is without help.
First Aid for Hypothermia
Immediately administering appropriate first aid is essential. Early treatment may prevent loss of extremeties and save lives. Remember the basics of hypothermia first aid.
- Always seek medical attention if available. The professionals know how to treat the effects of chilblains, frostnip, frostbite, and full blown hypothermia with the least after-effects.
- Get to a sheltered, warm area if possible. Cover and allow body temperature to rise naturally. Do not expose frostnipped or frostbitten parts of the body to heat.
- Change out of wet clothing. Any dry covering is preferable to wet clothing. Cover the head.
- Do not use chemical hand warmers to thaw frozen body parts or apply any type of dry heat.
- Do not rub or massage frozen body parts.
- Body heat from body contact with a person not experiencing hypothermia is the best type of heat to keep the victim alive until medical attention arrives.
- If two or more persons are experiencing symptoms of hypothermia, group body heat may prolong their lives until help arrives.
Hypothermia is a Medical Emergency
Recognizing the earliest symptoms of overexposure to cold is vital, particularly if help is not immediately available. Additional care must be taken if children, especially infants or elderly adults are affected. Long term disabilities or death results quickly, so immediate action is required at the onset of the earliest symptoms of hypothermia.
Related Reading:
Avoiding Hypothermia in Winter Weather
References:
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