What is Hypothermia
Hypothermia is caused when you spend too much time in very cold temperatures. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body ends up losing heat faster than it’s produced. Really long exposures to the cold will eventually use up all of your body’s stored energy, which will result in a lower body temperature. Some medical conditions (usually mental conditions), medications, severe trauma, or using drugs and alcohol all increase the risk of hypothermia.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
- Shivering, people shiver in order to stay warm and it’s actually a good sign that a person’s internal heating systems are sill active. However in more severe cases of hypothermia the person will actually stop shivering after a prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures.
- Slow breaths that are raspy and shallow
- Confusion and memory loss, saying things that don’t make sense is a indication as well
- Drowsiness or exhaustion
- Slurred or mumbled speech
- Loss of coordination, fumbling hands, stumbling steps
- A slow, weak pulse
- In severe hypothermia, a person may be unconscious without obvious signs of breathing or a pulse
What to do
You have to get the victim to a warm place of shelter. If they are wearing and wet or cold clothing it must be removed and replaced with dry and preferably warm ones. Warm drinks such as hot cocoa and warm water definitely help but never try to give drinks to an unconscious person. Make sure to get some medical attention as soon as possible.
Stay Warm!!!
