Hypothermia is a serious health problem that occurs when body temperature drops below the normal level and can develop especially as a result of prolonged exposure to cold air or cold water. A drop in body temperature below 35 °C is considered hypothermia. While symptoms such as shivering, cold and pale skin, and fatigue may be observed in the early stages, in advanced cases, confusion, speech impairment, slowed breathing, and irregularities in heart rhythm may occur.
Hypothermia can be life-threatening if it is not recognized quickly and intervened appropriately. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms, apply correct first aid, and seek medical help when necessary.
Hypothermia can be seen especially in the winter months, in those who work outdoors for a long time, in those who are in cold environments without appropriate clothing protection, and in individuals exposed to cold water. However, it does not only occur when the air temperature is very low. Getting wet due to rain, being exposed to wind for a long time, or waiting in wet clothes can also cause body temperature to drop rapidly.
With the inadequacy of the body's temperature regulation mechanism, the symptoms of hypothermia can become increasingly pronounced. Therefore, it should not be assumed that the person is merely feeling cold; the situation should be taken seriously, especially if there are symptoms such as shivering, altered consciousness, or a marked slowdown in movements. The severity of hypothermia can vary depending on how much the body temperature has dropped, the duration of exposure to cold, and the person's age and general health status.
Early and proper intervention is important in terms of preventing body temperature from dropping further and reducing the risk of developing serious complications.
What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a condition where the core body temperature drops below 35 °C as a result of the body losing heat faster than it produces it. Under normal conditions, various mechanisms come into play to keep body temperature within a certain range. However, when exposed to intense or prolonged cold, these mechanisms may become inadequate.
Hypothermia does not only occur in very cold weather. Entering cold water, staying under the rain in wet clothes for a long time, or not being adequately protected in windy weather can also cause the body to lose heat rapidly.
At What Temperature Does Hypothermia Begin?
A drop in body temperature below 35 °C is considered the onset of hypothermia. Hypothermia is generally evaluated as mild, moderate, and severe according to body temperature.
As body temperature drops, symptoms such as shivering, slowed movements, and changes in consciousness become more pronounced. In advanced hypothermia, even the shivering mechanism may be lost, and the functioning of vital organs can be affected.
The degree of the drop in body temperature provides important information about the severity of hypothermia. In mild hypothermia, the person generally shivers intensely and may have difficulty moving due to the cold. When the body temperature drops further, symptoms such as loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, dizziness, and mental confusion may appear.
As hypothermia progresses, the body's capacity to produce heat also decreases. Therefore, the complete cessation of shivering does not always mean that the person is recovering. On the contrary, in advanced hypothermia, it may indicate that the body's heat production mechanisms are failing. At this stage, respiration and heart rate may slow down, cardiac arrhythmias may develop, and the person may lose consciousness.
The situation should be taken seriously, especially if the body temperature has dropped below 35 °C and is accompanied by an altered state of consciousness, marked drowsiness, speech impairment, or slowed breathing. Since severe hypothermia can be life-threatening, emergency medical evaluation and appropriate treatment are required.
What Causes Hypothermia?
The primary cause of hypothermia is the body losing more heat than it produces. Cold environments, contact with water, wet clothes, and certain health problems can accelerate this process.
In order for the body to maintain its temperature balance, the heat produced must match the heat lost. However, when staying in a cold environment for a long time or when the body is suddenly exposed to cold, heat loss increases. Although the body initially attempts to reduce heat loss through mechanisms such as shivering and blood vessel constriction, these mechanisms may become inadequate if exposure to cold continues.
Environmental conditions play an important role in the development of hypothermia. Low air temperature, wind, humidity, precipitation, and especially contact with cold water can accelerate the body's heat loss. In addition, not dressing warmly enough, remaining motionless for a long time, or waiting in wet clothes also increases the risk of hypothermia.
Furthermore, certain health problems and medications used can affect the body's temperature regulation mechanism. Particularly infants, the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, and physically frail individuals may carry a higher risk for hypothermia in cold conditions. Therefore, in cold environments, not only the air temperature, but also the person's general health status and the duration of exposure must be taken into account.
Prolonged Exposure to Cold Weather
Staying at low temperatures for a long time can cause the body to continuously lose heat. The risk of hypothermia increases, especially in cases where appropriate clothing is not used.
The combination of wind, humidity, and low temperatures can lead to faster loss of body heat.
Staying at low temperatures for a long time can cause the body to continuously lose heat. The risk of hypothermia increases, especially in cases where appropriate clothing is not used. Thin clothing that does not keep the body warm enough, exposed head and neck areas, or wet garments can further increase heat loss. Therefore, in cold weather, it is important to choose dry and, if possible, layered clothing suitable for weather conditions.
The combination of wind, humidity, and low temperatures can lead to faster loss of body heat. While wind increases heat loss by blowing away the warmer air layer surrounding the body, humid or wet conditions can cause the body to cool down faster. This situation can increase the risk of hypothermia, especially in individuals who stay outdoors for a long time, remain motionless, or are not adequately protected against the cold.
If it is necessary to be outside in cold weather, it is important to avoid getting wet, use dry clothes, and not stay in the same environment for a long time. When symptoms such as shivering, numbness, weakness, or slowed movements appear, one should move away from the cold environment and ensure that body heat is preserved.
Exposure to Cold Water
Water can cause body heat to be lost much faster compared to air. Therefore, staying in cold sea, lake, or river water for a long time significantly increases the risk of hypothermia.
Hypothermia can develop in a short time during falls into cold water or prolonged swimming.
Exposure to cold water is a major cause of hypothermia that can cause body temperature to drop in a short time. Since water removes body heat faster than air, staying for a long time especially in cold seas, lakes, rivers, or pools increases the risk of hypothermia. When the water temperature is low, the longer the person spends in the water, the greater the loss in body temperature.
Hypothermia can develop especially during falls into cold water, prolonged swimming, or water sports. Fatigue of the person during swimming can also reduce the body's capacity to produce heat and accelerate the cooling process. Therefore, staying in cold water for a long time should be avoided, and environmental conditions such as air and water temperature should be considered when entering the water.
Continuing to stay in wet clothes after getting out of cold water can also cause the drop in body temperature to continue. Therefore, it is important to move to a dry environment as soon as possible, remove wet clothes, and protect the body with dry clothes. If symptoms such as shivering, numbness, weakness, loss of coordination, or mental confusion appear, medical evaluation for hypothermia may be required.
Prolonged Stay in Wet Clothes
Staying in wet clothes increases the body's heat loss, especially in cold and windy weather. Getting soaked in the rain, staying outside in sweaty clothes for a long time, or not changing after entering cold water can increase the risk of hypothermia.
Staying in wet clothes for a long time can increase the body's heat loss and raise the risk of developing hypothermia. Getting soaked in the rain, being in cold weather with sweaty clothes, or not changing wet clothes after entering cold water makes it difficult for the body to maintain its normal temperature. The effect of wet clothes becomes more pronounced especially in environments where the air temperature is low and there is wind.
When wet clothes come into contact with the skin, they can cause body heat to be transferred to the environment more rapidly. As the duration of the clothes remaining wet lengthens, heat loss continues. Therefore, following exposure to rain, snow, or water, it is important to remove wet clothes as soon as possible and replace them with dry clothes.
Children, the elderly, and individuals who stay outdoors in the cold for a long time should be particularly careful in this regard. If symptoms such as shivering, numbness in hands and feet, weakness, slowed movements, or speech impairment appear in a person continuing to stay in wet clothes, caution should be exercised regarding the development of hypothermia.
Health Problems That Can Cause Hypothermia
Certain health problems can affect a person's ability to regulate body temperature. Thyroid diseases, low blood sugar, certain hormonal disorders, and limited mobility, in particular, can increase the risk of hypothermia.
Conditions leading to loss of consciousness can also make it difficult for the person to move away from the cold environment or protect themselves.
Certain health problems can increase the risk of hypothermia by affecting the body's mechanisms for regulating temperature and protecting itself against the cold. Particularly in diseases affecting the body's metabolic rate, hormone balance, circulation, or level of consciousness, the person becomes more vulnerable to the cold.
Underactivity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can increase sensitivity to the cold by reducing the body's metabolic rate and heat production. In addition, low blood sugar, certain hormonal disorders, and severe infections can also contribute to a drop in body temperature.
Diseases causing limited mobility can also pose a risk for hypothermia. Individuals who cannot move or have limited physical activity may have difficulty maintaining body temperature and may not move fast enough to get away from a cold environment.
In addition, neurological diseases or conditions affecting the level of consciousness can make it difficult for the person to realize they are getting cold and take necessary precautions. In conditions affecting cognitive functions such as dementia, the person may not realize they are in a cold environment or may have difficulty asking for help.
Certain medications and alcohol use can also affect the body's temperature regulation mechanisms or the person's response to the cold. Therefore, individuals with a chronic illness, those who use regular medications, or those who may have difficulty regulating their body temperature need to be more careful in cold weather. Particularly if there is prolonged exposure to the cold, hypothermia symptoms must be closely monitored.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypothermia?
Hypothermia symptoms can vary depending on the degree of the drop in body temperature. While symptoms such as shivering and coldness are seen in the initial stage, changes in consciousness and breathing may appear as the condition progresses.
Hypothermia symptoms can vary depending on how much the body temperature has dropped and how long the person has been exposed to the cold. Initially, the body exhibits natural responses such as shivering and constriction of blood vessels in order to prevent temperature loss. During this period, the person may feel chilly, shiver, experience weakness, and feel coldness in the skin.
As body temperature continues to drop, symptoms become more pronounced. Numbness in the hands and feet, slowed movements, loss of coordination, and difficulty speaking may be observed. The person's thinking and decision-making skills can also be affected. Therefore, a person experiencing hypothermia may not realize the severity of their condition or may have difficulty asking for help.
In advanced hypothermia, mental confusion, pronounced drowsiness, slowed breathing, and irregularities in heart rhythm may appear. In severe hypothermia, shivering may stop completely; this is not a sign of recovery and may indicate that the body can no longer produce sufficient heat. When symptoms such as loss of consciousness or marked slowing of breathing appear, emergency medical help must be sought.
Hypothermia symptoms can generally be listed as follows:
- Intense shivering and feeling cold
- Cold, pale, or bluish skin
- Weakness and fatigue
- Numbness in hands and feet
- Impairment in movements and coordination
- Slowed or slurred speech
- Changes in attention and consciousness
- Drowsiness
- Slowed breathing
- Slowed or irregular pulse
- Loss of consciousness in advanced cases
As the severity of symptoms increases, the risk of hypothermia posing a life threat also increases. Therefore, it is important that individuals presenting with a change in consciousness, severe drowsiness, breathing difficulty, or loss of consciousness are evaluated medically on an emergency basis.
What Are the Early Symptoms of Hypothermia?
Early symptoms of hypothermia appear with the beginning of the drop in body temperature. To reduce temperature loss and maintain its normal temperature, the body primarily activates natural defense mechanisms such as shivering. Therefore, intense shivering starting in a person who is in a cold environment can be one of the early signs of hypothermia.
In the early period, the person may feel more tired and weak than usual. Cold and pale skin, numbness in the hands and feet, slowed movements, and coordination difficulties may also be observed. The person's speech may slow down or they may have difficulty expressing words properly.
Early symptoms of hypothermia may include:
- Severe or continuous shivering
- Intense feeling of cold
- Cold and pale skin
- Weakness and fatigue
- Numbness in hands and feet
- Difficulty moving fingers
- Slowed movements
- Balance and coordination impairment
- Slowed or slurred speech
- Difficulty with attention and concentration
When these symptoms are noticed, it is important to remove the person from the cold environment and prevent them from losing more heat. If there are wet clothes, they should be replaced with dry clothes, and the person should be protected using appropriate methods such as blankets. In the event of progressively increasing symptoms, altered consciousness, or excessive drowsiness, medical help must be sought.
What Are the Symptoms of Advanced Hypothermia?
When hypothermia progresses, the body cannot sustain heat production adequately, and with the drop in body temperature, vital functions may also begin to be affected. At this stage, shivering, weakness, and loss of coordination seen in the early period can turn into more serious consciousness, respiratory, and circulatory problems.
The person may exhibit severe mental confusion, a tendency to sleep, or loss of consciousness. Speech impairment and loss of coordination may develop. The person may respond less to their surroundings and have difficulty assessing their environment.
In advanced hypothermia, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Severe mental confusion
- Tendency to sleep or loss of consciousness
- Speech impairment
- Loss of coordination
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Slowed pulse
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Decrease or complete cessation of shivering
Particularly, the decrease or complete cessation of shivering does not mean the condition is improving. On the contrary, it may indicate that the body can no longer produce sufficient heat and that hypothermia is progressing. As body temperature drops further, respiration and heart rate may slow down, and severe disturbances in heart rhythm may appear.
Altered consciousness, pronounced drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness require emergency medical evaluation. A person exhibiting these symptoms should be moved as little as possible, removed from the cold environment, and medical help should be obtained without delay.
What Are the Stages of Hypothermia?
Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below normal levels and can be evaluated as mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia depending on how much the temperature has dropped and the clinical status of the person. Symptoms seen at each stage may vary. As body temperature drops, symptoms such as shivering, altered consciousness, and loss of coordination become more pronounced; in advanced stages, respiration and the cardiovascular system can be affected.
When evaluating the stage of hypothermia, not only the measured body temperature is looked at. The person's state of consciousness, respiration, circulation, shivering status, and duration of exposure to the cold are also taken into account. Since measuring body temperature can become difficult especially in advanced hypothermia, the clinical symptoms of the person are of importance.
Mild Hypothermia
The period when body temperature is approximately between 32–35 °C is generally evaluated as mild hypothermia. At this stage, the body tries to increase heat production to compensate for temperature loss. Therefore, shivering can be one of the most prominent signs of mild hypothermia.
Cold and pale skin, weakness, fatigue, numbness in the hands and feet, slowed movements, and coordination difficulties may be observed in the person. A decrease in attention and concentration, slowed speech, or the person feeling more exhausted than usual are also possible.
When mild hypothermia is noticed early, it is important to remove the person from the cold environment, change their wet clothes, and preserve their body heat. If symptoms increase or a change in the person's state of consciousness is observed, medical evaluation is required.
Moderate Hypothermia
A drop in body temperature to approximately 28–32 °C levels is evaluated as moderate hypothermia. At this stage, the body's mechanisms for maintaining temperature begin to become increasingly inadequate. Shivering may continue, but the person's movements and mental functions are affected more noticeably.
In moderate hypothermia, mental confusion, pronounced loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, slowed movements, and extreme weakness may be observed. The person's responses to their surroundings may slow down, and their ability to make correct decisions may be impaired. Respiration and pulse can also become slower than normal.
At this stage, merely covering the person may not be sufficient. In suspected moderate hypothermia, it is important that the person is evaluated by health professionals. Emergency medical help must be sought, especially if there is an alteration in consciousness or slowed breathing.
Severe Hypothermia
A drop in body temperature below 28 °C is evaluated as severe hypothermia. At this stage, the body's capacity to produce heat and regulate its temperature decreases drastically. The functions of vital organs, primarily the brain, heart, and respiratory system, can be affected.
In severe hypothermia, loss of consciousness, very slow and shallow breathing, a marked slowing of the pulse, and severe cardiac arrhythmias may appear. Shivering may disappear completely. This situation does not show that the person is recovering; on the contrary, it may be an important indicator that the body can no longer produce sufficient heat.
With a further drop in body temperature, it may become difficult for the heart to maintain its normal rhythm, and cardiac arrest may develop. Therefore, severe hypothermia is a life-threatening emergency condition and requires advanced medical treatment in a hospital setting.
A person suspected of severe hypothermia should be moved as little as possible, prevented from losing more heat, and emergency medical help must be obtained. Rapid intervention is of great importance, especially if there are signs of loss of consciousness, very slow breathing, or circulatory failure.
Who is at Higher Risk for Hypothermia?
Certain individuals may be at higher risk for hypothermia as they may have more difficulty maintaining body temperature.
Certain individuals may carry a higher risk for hypothermia because they may have more difficulty regulating their body temperature and adapting to cold environmental conditions. Risk depends not only on air temperature; it also relies on the person's age, general health status, physical mobility, duration of exposure to the cold, and environmental conditions.
Particularly, infants and young children whose body temperature regulation mechanisms are not yet fully developed, elderly individuals in whom these mechanisms can weaken with age, and individuals with certain chronic illnesses need to be more careful.
In addition, the risk of hypothermia may also increase in those who work outdoors for a long time, those exposed to cold water, those who do not use appropriate clothing, and those who stay in wet clothes for extended periods. Alcohol consumption and certain medications can also pose a risk by affecting the person's awareness of the cold or the body's temperature regulation mechanism.
It is important for risk groups regarding hypothermia to be better protected in cold weather, to change wet clothes in a short time, and not to stay in cold environments for long periods. The situation should be taken seriously when symptoms such as shivering, weakness, numbness, slowed movements, or altered consciousness appear, especially in individuals in the risk group.
Risk of Hypothermia in Infants and Children
The body temperature regulation mechanisms of infants and young children are not as developed as those of adults. Furthermore, since the ratio of their body surface area to their weight is greater, heat loss can occur faster.
The body temperature regulation mechanisms of infants and young children are not as developed as those of adults. Furthermore, since the ratio of their body surface area to their weight is greater, heat loss can occur faster. Therefore, the risk of hypothermia may increase, especially in situations of exposure to cold weather, wind, rain, and cold water.
Infants may not be able to express that they are cold or uncomfortable the way adults do. Young children may also not realize the risks that staying in a cold environment for a long time can create, or they may not be protected appropriately. Therefore, it is important that children are dressed in adequate clothing in cold weather, that wet clothes are changed in a short time, and that they are not left in cold environments for long periods.
Body temperature can drop faster, especially after getting soaked in the rain, being in cold water, or staying in cold weather with sweaty clothes. The observation of intense shivering, coldness or paleness in the skin, weakness, numbness, slowed movements, or behaviors different from normal in a child should be evaluated in terms of hypothermia.
In infants, shivering may not always be pronounced. Symptoms such as unusual drowsiness, decreased feeding, weakness, cold skin, or the infant responding less than usual should be taken seriously. When such symptoms appear, the child should be removed from the cold environment, kept in a dry and warm environment, and medical help should be sought if symptoms are pronounced.
Risk of Hypothermia in the Elderly
As age advances, the body's response to temperature changes may decrease. Elderly individuals may feel the cold less or may have difficulty warming up due to limited mobility.
The risk of hypothermia may increase due to the gradual weakening of mechanisms regulating body temperature in elderly individuals. Changes occurring in the metabolic rate and the body's capacity to produce heat with advanced age can cause the person to be more sensitive to the cold. In addition, elderly individuals may have difficulty realizing that they are in a cold environment or that their body temperature is beginning to drop.
Limited mobility, malnutrition, low body weight, and certain chronic diseases can also increase the risk of hypothermia. The risk of body temperature dropping may be higher, particularly in elderly individuals who remain motionless for a long time or cannot warm up sufficiently in a home environment. Staying outdoors for a long time in cold weather conditions, wearing inappropriate clothes, or waiting in wet clothes also increases this risk.
Hypothermia symptoms in the elderly may not always be pronounced. Instead of intense shivering, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, slowed speech, balance and coordination impairment, or behavioral changes may be observed. Therefore, when a change in consciousness or behavior different from normal is noticed, especially in an elderly person in a cold environment, the possibility of hypothermia should be considered.
It is important that elderly individuals are kept warm enough in cold weather, use dry and layered clothing, pay attention to adequate nutrition and fluid intake, and are not left in cold environments for a long time. In the event of a pronounced change in consciousness, excessive drowsiness, severe slowing of movements, or slowed breathing, emergency medical evaluation is required.
Risk of Hypothermia in Those with Chronic Illnesses
Certain chronic illnesses and metabolic problems can affect the body's temperature regulation mechanism. Therefore, individuals with chronic illnesses need to be more careful in cold weather.
Certain chronic illnesses and metabolic problems can affect the body's temperature regulation mechanism. Therefore, individuals with chronic illnesses need to be more careful in cold weather. Health problems that affect the body's metabolic rate, hormone balance, circulation, or level of consciousness, in particular, can increase the risk of hypothermia.
Underactivity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can affect the body's energy production and metabolic rate, causing the person to be more sensitive to the cold. In addition, it is important to be careful against cold conditions in diseases affecting blood sugar balance such as diabetes. In individuals with circulatory problems, coldness and numbness, especially in the hands and feet, may be more pronounced.
Chronic illnesses causing limited mobility can also pose a risk for hypothermia. Individuals who remain motionless for a long time may have difficulty maintaining body temperature and moving away from a cold environment. Furthermore, in diseases affecting cognitive functions such as dementia, the person may not realize they are cold or may have difficulty taking necessary precautions.
Certain medications regularly used by individuals with chronic illnesses can also affect the body's temperature regulation mechanisms or the response given to the cold. Therefore, the person's existing illnesses and medications used must be taken into consideration, especially in situations where staying in the cold for a long time is necessary.
It is important to use appropriate and dry clothing in cold weather, not to remain motionless for a long time, and to change wet clothes in a short time. When symptoms such as shivering, marked weakness, numbness, slowed movements, speech impairment, or altered consciousness appear, medical evaluation for hypothermia must be performed.
The Effect of Alcohol and Certain Medications on Hypothermia Risk
Alcohol consumption can cause the person to feel the cold less and engage in risky behaviors. Certain medications can also affect the level of consciousness, circulation, or the body's temperature regulation mechanisms.
Therefore, alcohol consumption, especially in cold weather, can pose a risk for hypothermia.
Alcohol use can increase a person's risk of developing hypothermia in a cold environment. Alcohol can cause blood vessels in the skin to dilate, leading the person to temporarily feel warmer. However, this does not mean the body is actually warming up. On the contrary, it can cause heat loss from the skin surface to increase and body temperature to drop faster.
Alcohol can also negatively affect a person's ability to recognize the cold, assess environmental conditions, and take appropriate precautions. Due to intoxication or clouded consciousness, the person may not move away from the cold environment, may not dress warmly enough, or may stay outside for a long time. Staying outside for a long time after alcohol consumption, especially in cold weather, can be riskier in terms of hypothermia.
Certain medications can also increase the risk of hypothermia by affecting the body's temperature regulation mechanisms. Medications that act on the central nervous system and can cause drowsiness or altered consciousness, in particular, can make it difficult for the person to realize they are cold or respond appropriately. Some medications can alter the response to cold by affecting the body's heat production, blood circulation, or sweating mechanism.
Therefore, it is important for individuals who use regular medications to be more careful in cold environments, especially in the winter months. Discontinuing medications without a doctor's recommendation or changing their dose is not correct. If prominent shivering, weakness, dizziness, speech impairment, slowed movements, or altered consciousness is observed after prolonged stay in the cold, evaluation for hypothermia should be performed and emergency medical help should be sought when necessary.
What Should Be Done for a Person Experiencing Hypothermia?
When intervening with a person experiencing hypothermia, further heat loss must first be prevented. The person should be moved away from the cold, windy, or wet environment as much as possible and taken to a dry and sheltered place. If they have wet clothes, they should be removed carefully, and the person's body should be kept warm with dry clothes, a blanket, or similar appropriate materials.
If the person's consciousness is clear and they have no difficulty swallowing, a warm and non-alcoholic beverage may be given under appropriate conditions. However, food or drink should not be given by mouth to individuals with mental confusion, pronounced drowsiness, or difficulty swallowing. In these situations, keeping the person in a safe position and seeking medical help is more important.
The person experiencing hypothermia should be moved as gently and in a controlled manner as possible. Unnecessary movement should be avoided, especially in suspected moderate or severe hypothermia. If the person is unconscious, it should be checked whether they are breathing normally, and emergency help should be called. If there is no breathing or it is not normal, appropriate intervention should be started by individuals trained in basic life support.
It is not correct to evaluate the person's condition solely by looking at whether shivering continues or not. As hypothermia progresses, shivering may decrease or disappear entirely. If this is accompanied by altered consciousness, speech impairment, pronounced drowsiness, slowed breathing, or a marked slowing of the pulse, the situation should be considered serious.
Emergency medical help must be sought, not contenting with home intervention, especially in individuals with altered consciousness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing, severe weakness, or advanced cooling. The goal in hypothermia is not to overheat the person all at once, but to prevent further heat loss and deliver them for safe medical evaluation.
How is First Aid Performed in Hypothermia?
In first aid for a person suspected of hypothermia, the main goal is to prevent further heat loss and ensure that body temperature is maintained safely. First, the person should be removed from the cold, windy, or wet environment and taken to a dry and sheltered place as much as possible. Unnecessary movement should be avoided, and the person should be moved gently, especially in suspected advanced hypothermia.
If there are wet clothes, they should be carefully removed, and the person should be covered with dry clothes, blankets, or similar coverings. It is important to reduce heat loss, especially from the head and neck area. If the person's consciousness is clear and they have no difficulty swallowing, small amounts of a warm, non-alcoholic beverage can be given. Food or drink should not be given by mouth to a person who is unconscious, drowsy, or has difficulty swallowing.
During first aid, the person's consciousness and breathing must be monitored. Emergency medical help must be sought if there are symptoms such as mental confusion, pronounced drowsiness, speech impairment, slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, or severe weakness. If it is noticed that the person is not breathing normally, emergency help should be called, and appropriate intervention should be started by individuals trained in basic life support.
Trying to overheat a person all at once in hypothermia is not correct. Applications such as very hot water, a hot shower, a direct heater, or a very hot water bottle should be avoided. Medical evaluation is important because incorrect or rapid warming can lead to serious problems, particularly in moderate and severe hypothermia.
Even if the person's symptoms decrease after first aid is applied, it is necessary to apply to a healthcare facility, especially in cases where body temperature has dropped markedly, there is an alteration in consciousness, or there has been prolonged exposure to the cold.
How Should a Person Be Warmed in Hypothermia?
When warming a person experiencing hypothermia, the goal is to ensure that body temperature rises in a controlled and safe manner and to prevent further heat loss. First, the person should be removed from the cold, windy, or wet environment and taken to a dry and sheltered place. Wet clothes should be carefully removed and replaced with dry clothes. The person's body heat can be preserved by covering them with blankets or dry coverings.
During warming, attention should be paid to protecting the chest, neck, and head regions in particular. Small amounts of warm, non-alcoholic beverages can be given to a person whose consciousness is clear and whose condition is suitable. However, any food or drink should not be given by mouth to individuals with mental confusion, loss of consciousness, or difficulty swallowing.
It is not recommended to submerge a person experiencing hypothermia in very hot water, give them a hot shower, or hold them directly in front of a strong heat source. Very hot applications can cause burns on the skin and can negatively affect the circulatory system, particularly in advanced hypothermia. Therefore, the warming process should be carried out gradually and in a controlled manner.
In mild hypothermia, the person can be taken to a dry and warm environment and protected with blankets. However, home warming methods may not be sufficient in cases where body temperature has dropped further, the person's consciousness is affected, or shivering has decreased. Emergency medical help must be sought if there is an alteration in consciousness, pronounced drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing, or severe weakness.
In moderate and severe hypothermia, the person needs to be evaluated in a hospital setting. In these situations, medical teams can apply appropriate active warming methods according to the person's body temperature and general condition. Especially in severe hypothermia, the person should not be moved unnecessarily, and further heat loss must be prevented until medical help arrives.
What Should Not Be Done in Hypothermia?
Incorrect interventions in hypothermia can cause the person's condition to worsen even further. Therefore, instead of trying to warm the person quickly, it is important to intervene in a safe and controlled manner.
- The person should not be placed in very hot water. Sudden and intense heat application can negatively affect the circulatory system, especially in advanced hypothermia.
- A hot shower or bath should not be given. The risk of falling and burns can occur, particularly in individuals with mental confusion or advanced hypothermia.
- Attempts should not be made to warm them quickly directly in front of a heater, stove, or fire. Burns can form on the skin, and certain parts of the body can overheat.
- The person's hands and feet should not be rubbed harshly or massaged. Unnecessary movements should be avoided, especially in severe hypothermia.
- Alcohol should not be given. Although alcohol creates a temporary feeling of warmth in the person, it does not help maintain body temperature and can increase heat loss.
- Food or drink should not be given to an unconscious person or someone with difficulty swallowing. There is a risk of food and drink entering the respiratory tract in these situations.
- The person should not be moved unnecessarily. Moving gently is important, especially in moderate and severe hypothermia.
- The cessation of shivering should not be evaluated as recovery. As hypothermia progresses, the body's capacity to produce heat may decrease, so shivering may disappear completely.
If pronounced changes in consciousness, excessive drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing, or severe weakness are observed in the person, home intervention should not be considered sufficient, and emergency medical help must be obtained. During this process, the person should be kept in a dry and sheltered environment, and further heat loss should be prevented by covering them with blankets or dry coverings.
Treatment in Mild Hypothermia
In mild hypothermia, the main goal of treatment is to prevent further heat loss and ensure that body temperature rises in a controlled manner. First, the person should be removed from the cold, windy, or wet environment and taken to a dry and warm place. If they have wet clothes, they should be removed and replaced with dry clothes.
The preservation of the person's body heat can be ensured by covering them with a
