Hypothermia

• As hypothermia can be a life-threatening condition, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Hypothermia is treated by preventing further heat being lost and by gently warming the patient.

Things to do for hypothermia

• Move the person indoors, or somewhere warm, as soon as possible.
• Once sheltered, gently remove any wet clothing and dry the person.
• Wrap them in blankets, towels, coats (whatever you have), protecting the head and torso first.
• Your own body heat can help someone with hypothermia. Hug them gently.
• Increase activity if possible, but not to the point where sweating occurs, as that cools the skin down again.
• If possible, give the person warm drinks (but not alcohol) or high energy foods, such as chocolate, to help warm them up.
• Once body temperature has increased, keep the person warm and dry.

It is important to handle anyone that has hypothermia very gently and carefully.

Things you should NOT do

• Don't warm up an elderly person using a bath, as this may send cold blood from the body's surfaces to the heart or brain too suddenly, causing a stroke or heart attack.
• Don't apply direct heat (hot water or a heating pad, for example) to the arms and legs, as this forces cold blood back to the major organs, making the condition worse.
• Don't give the person alcohol to drink, as this will decrease the body's ability to retain heat.
• Don't rub or massage the person's skin, as this can cause the blood vessels to widen and decrease the body's ability to retain heat. In severe cases of hypothermia there is also a risk of heart attack.

Severe hypothermia needs urgent medical treatment in hospital. Shivering is a good guide to how severe the hypothermia is. If the person can stop shivering of their own accord, hypothermia is mild, but if they cannot stop shivering, it is moderate to severe.

Visit your GP regularly to manage any illnesses effectively. If you are taking regular medication, ask whether it affects your body's ability to regulate your temperature.