Hypothermia

The human body has a number of systems to ensure a constant core temperature of around 37C. Hypothermia occurs when
the body's temperature falls below 35C. There are many situations that can cause the body to lose more heat than it can
generate. For example, prolonged exposure to wintry conditions, immersion in cold water for a length of time, or being out
in windy weather in wet clothes. The risk of hypothermia isn't confined to subzero temperatures - it often happens in
temperatures ranging from 0-10C. Mild hypothermia is relatively easy to treat in the field, but severe hypothermia is life
threatening without prompt medical attention.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hypothermia can progress quite slowly.
The various stages include:

Feeling cold

Cold skin

Shivering

Loss of concentration

Loss of control over the small muscles - for example, the muscles of the fingers

Facial skin turns grey or blue in colour

Drowsiness

Lethargy

Confusion

Loss of physical coordination

Lack of shivering

Slowed breathing

Speaking difficulties, such as slurring

A strong yearning for sleep

Coma

Death.

The effects on the body

The first warning sign is uncontrollable shivering. The person stops shivering as they progress into severe hypothermia.
Coma occurs when the body's temperature falls below 32C. Once the brain cools to around 30C, the structure that
regulates body temperature (hypothalamus) stops working. The person's breathing then slows, and the lack of oxygen to the
heart causes it to quiver instead of beat. This is known as ventricular fibrillation. The heart can no longer pump blood and the
body is starved of oxygen. This is fatal without prompt treatment.

Risk factors
Factors that may increase a person's susceptibility to hypothermia include:

Infancy

Old age

Heart problems

Circulatory system disorders

A thin body

Hunger

Fatigue

Alcohol

Cigarette smoking

Drugs

Dehydration

Tight clothing

Physical exertion.

First aid for mild hypothermia

Suggestions for treating someone suffering from mild hypothermia include:

Don't rub their skin.

Don't force them to move around in an attempt to get warm. Their body isn't capable of
warming itself anymore.

Help them into shelter from the wind. If no ready-built shelter (for example, a tent) is
available, use whatever you can find, such as piling snow to form a windbreak.

Make a fire.

If the person's clothes are wet, remove them.

Put them naked inside a sleeping bag. One or two other people (who are not suffering
from hypothermia) should undress and get inside the sleeping bag. Their body heat will
slowly and safely warm the person's body.

Remember that it is more important, in the first instance, to warm the person's body and
head than their arms and legs.

Dress them in dry clothes. If the person doesn't have any spare dry clothes, each
member of the group could donate one item of clothing.

Make sure you cover all extremities - using socks, gloves and a hat - to prevent heat
loss.

Once the person is feeling better, offer warm drinks. Use caution, what you may
consider to be warm may be too
hot and cause burns. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

First aid for severe hypothermia

Never assume that a person lying motionless out in the cold is dead. A person suffering from severe hypothermia may only
be taking one breath a minute, with a heart rate of less than 20 beats. Always assume they are alive. Suggestions for treating
someone suffering from severe hypothermia include:

Check them for evidence of blood circulation, including breathing and pulse.

Send for medical help.

Move the person to shelter.

Don't rub the victim or handle them roughly, as this can trigger ventricular fibrillation.

If the person isn't breathing and has no pulse, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
immediately. Compress the chest 15 times for every two breaths.

Remove their wet clothing and warm them inside a sleeping bag with one or two other
naked bodies, as mentioned above.

Stay with them at all times until help arrives.

Preventing hypothermia
Exposure to cold weather, even for relatively brief periods of time, can be dangerous if you are not adequately prepared.
Shivering and feeling cold or numb are warning signs that the body is losing too much heat. Simple ways to prevent
hypothermia include:

Avoid prolonged exposure to cold weather.

Be on the lookout for weather conditions that could increase the risk of hypothermia.
Respond appropriately, such as seeking shelter during a snowstorm.

Wear several layers of clothing to trap body heat, rather than just one bulky layer.
Natural fibres like wool have greater heat-retaining properties.

A weatherproof outer layer keeps the body dry.

Use gloves, scarves and socks, with spares in case the ones you are wearing get wet.

Wear insulated boots.

Wear warm headgear, since considerable body heat is lost through the scalp.

Make sure your clothes and boots aren't too tight, since restricted blood circulation can
increase your susceptibility to hypothermia.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Eat regularly.

Take regular breaks to reduce the risk of physical fatigue.

Keep your eye on the exact body temperature by taking a clinical thermometer in your
first aid kit.

Change out of wet clothes straight away.

Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine.

Make sure your kit includes a good supply of waterproof matches.

The buddy system

When bushwalking, mountaineering or participating in any outdoor activity that carries the potential risk of hypothermia, use
the 'buddy system' and check each other for signs. You may not be able to recognise your own symptoms due to mental
confusion. First aid training is strongly advised.
Where to get help

Your doctor

Emergency Department of your nearest hospital

Always call an ambulance in an emergency. Tel. 000

Hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature falls below 35C.

Hypothermia often happens in temperatures ranging from 0-10C.

Things to remember

Mild hypothermia is fairly easy to treat in the

field, but severe hypothermia is life threatening
without prompt medical attention.