CALL 911 FIRST if emergency services are available. This page is for backup/offline reference.
Hypothermia
Body core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). Can be fatal. Common in cold/wet exposure.
Critical Warning
A victim of severe hypothermia may APPEAR dead but can still be revived. 'Not dead until warm and dead.'
Recognize the Signs
- Mild: Shivering, cold skin, rapid breathing, confusion
- Moderate: Shivering stops, slurred speech, stumbling, drowsiness
- Severe: Unconscious, weak/no pulse, pupils dilated, muscles rigid
- 'Umbles': fumbles, stumbles, mumbles, grumbles
Action Steps
Move to shelter
Get out of wind, rain, and cold. Even a tarp or vehicle helps. Avoid further heat loss.
Remove wet clothing
Cut away wet clothing if needed. Wet cotton kills. Replace with dry insulating layers.
Rewarm gradually — core first
Apply warmth to torso: armpits, neck, groin, chest. Use warm water bottles wrapped in cloth, skin-to-skin contact, or hot packs. Do NOT rub limbs — pushes cold blood to core.
Insulate from ground
Put sleeping pad, blanket, or clothes between victim and cold ground. Heat loss through conduction is significant.
Give warm sugar drinks (if conscious)
Only if alert and able to swallow: warm sweet liquid (no alcohol, no caffeine).
Monitor and evacuate
Handle very gently — rough movement can cause cardiac arrest in cold hearts. Get to medical care ASAP.
Do NOT Do
- Do NOT give alcohol — it increases heat loss
- Do NOT rub or massage cold extremities
- Do NOT put in hot water — causes dangerous rapid rewarming
- Do NOT assume dead; start CPR if no pulse and transport to medical care
- Do NOT let them 'walk it off' — exertion rewarms core unsafely
Aftercare
Continuous warming until core temp reaches 95°F. Medical evaluation mandatory after severe hypothermia for cardiac, kidney, and nerve damage assessment.
When to Get Professional Help
Moderate or severe hypothermia is a 911-level emergency. Call immediately — pre-hospital rewarming is often insufficient.