If the person is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you are unsure — call your local emergency number NOW, before anything else.
Hypothermia First-Aid Quick Guide
Hypothermia happens when the body gets dangerously cold and can no longer stay warm on its own. Act quickly because it can affect breathing, the heart, and consciousness, and can become life-threatening.
Call emergency services immediately if…
- The person is very drowsy, confused, hard to wake, or unconscious
- Breathing is slow, weak, irregular, or has stopped
- They are shivering heavily and getting worse, or they have stopped shivering but are still cold
- They have trouble speaking, moving, or thinking clearly
- The person is an older adult, baby, or has been in cold water or severe cold
- 1
Call emergency services
Call the local emergency number right away if the person has severe symptoms or you are unsure. If available, put the phone on speaker so you can keep helping while you talk. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
- 2
Move to shelter
Get the person out of the cold, wind, rain, or wet ground as soon as you safely can. Move them indoors, into a vehicle, or to any dry sheltered place. Handle them gently and keep them lying flat if possible.
- 3
Remove wet clothing
Take off wet clothes carefully and replace them with dry layers. Cover the head, neck, and body with blankets, coats, or towels. Put something warm and dry underneath them too.
- 4
Warm the body core
Warm the chest, back, neck, and groin first using blankets or warm compresses wrapped in cloth. If another person is available, skin-to-skin warmth under dry blankets can help. Warm slowly and steadily, not all at once.
- 5
Watch breathing closely
Check whether the person is breathing normally. If they are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you are trained and if local guidance tells you to do so, and use an AED if one is available. If they are breathing, keep them still and continue warming.
- 6
Give warm drinks if alert
If the person is fully awake, able to swallow, and not vomiting, offer warm sweet drinks. Give small sips only. Do not give alcohol.
- 7
Keep monitoring
Stay with the person until help arrives or they are clearly recovering in a warm place. Watch for changes in breathing, alertness, and shivering. Be ready to call again or start CPR if their condition worsens.
Do NOT
- Do not delay calling for help if the person is confused, very sleepy, unconscious, or breathing abnormally
- Do not rub, massage, or handle the person roughly
- Do not use very hot water, heating pads, fires, or direct heat on the arms and legs
- Do not give alcohol or force food or drinks to someone who is drowsy or cannot swallow safely
- Do not let the person walk around or exert themselves
Afterwards
Even if the person seems better, they should be medically assessed because hypothermia can return and serious problems may appear later. Keep them warm, dry, resting, and monitored until professional help advises otherwise.
Sources
- [1]Hypothermia — Mayo Clinic
- [2]First Aid Steps for Hypothermia — American Red Cross
- [3]Hypothermia — NHS
Printed from HealthPulse.cc — first-aid education only, not a substitute for training or professional emergency care. Always call your local emergency number first.
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