How to Prevent and Treat Hypothermia

Keeping warm and dry in a survival situation is crucial to survival preparedness. Warmth and shelter is often overlooked as many survival preparedness enthusiasts focus on food, water, and first aid. Hypothermia has the same importance as other survival preparedness topics, if not more so.

A person has hypothermia when their core body temperature has fallen below 35.0 °C (95 °F), the temperature required for normal body functions and metabolism. Normally, the human body maintains almost a constant body temperature of 36.5-37.5 °C through biologic processes. However, the body cannot hold its temperature at a constant when it is exposed to cold surroundings. Once body temperature falls and hypothermia sets in, the nervous system, heart, and organs cannot function properly.

Hypothermia occurs in three stages. For purposes of this article, only the collective symptoms of hypothermia will be discussed. The symptoms range from mild to strong and can increase in severity very rapidly, thus earning its importance in survival preparedness. Below is a list of hypothermia symptoms to be aware of-

• Mild to strong shivering
• Clumsiness due to cold/numb hands and feet
• Breathing is quick and shallow
• Goosebumps
• Sick to the stomach
• Tiredness
• Warm sensation but nothing was done to warm person and external conditions are the same
• Muscle shutdown (try touching thumb to little finger to test muscle status)
• Trouble seeing
• Slow and labored movements
• Confusion though person may appear more alert
• Person is pale
• Lips, ears, fingers and toes become blue
• Difficulty speaking and thinking
• Amnesia

The severity of the symptoms listed above is a sign of the severity of the hypothermia a person has. If left untreated, hypothermia results in frostbite, frostnip, chilblains, respiratory system and heart failure and death.

Hypothermia can be treated and reversed if it is noticed early enough and you know how to treat it. First and foremost, dial 911 if possible to alert emergency response personnel of the situation and location and to receive proper instruction. If you are not able to contact emergency response personnel, below is a list of steps you can take to reverse the hypothermia-

• Do NOT rub the person to warm them up. Handle the person gently.
• Move person out of cold. Insulate person from cold ground and cover the head.
• Remove wet clothing. Replace with dry clothing if possible or dry blanket.
• Build a fire. Do not put person too close to fire as numb body parts can be burned
• Use your own body heat to warm the person.
• Do NOT apply direct heat. Apply warm compresses to neck, groin and chest wall.
• Do NOT give the person alcohol. Do give them warm nonalcoholic drinks.
• Use HELP (heat escape lessening position). Hold knees together and into chest using arms.
• Use your own body heat to warm the person.
• Do not attempt to warm the arms and legs. Focus on warming the body.

The first and easiest step to preventing hypothermia for survival preparedness is to wear appropriate clothing. Research weather conditions and other related factors for any activity and plan to wear clothing appropriate for that activity. For survival preparedness, keep a change of clothes, hats, gloves, a coat, and a blanket in your car for emergencies.

Wool (fleece) and synthetic fabrics provide the best insulation even when wet and dry quickly as well. Keep a survival blanket and survival sleeping bag in your survival kit. Body warmers are also a good addition to a survival preparedness kit as they can provide quick and easy heat.

Shelter is also essential in survival preparedness as it provides protection from the elements and can keep you warm and dry. Keep a survival tent in your survival preparedness kit. Be sure it is water proof and durable. Put up the tent a couple of times so you are familiar with how to set it up and the space and protection it will provide.