Environmental
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a drop in core body temperature below 35°C. Move the person to shelter, remove wet clothing, rewarm gradually with blankets and body heat, and call 000 if severe.
Hypothermia is a drop in core body temperature below 35°C. Move the person to shelter, remove wet clothing, rewarm gradually with blankets and body heat, and call 000 if severe.
Signs
- Shivering (may stop in severe cases)
- Cold, pale skin
- Numbness
- Slurred speech, confusion, drowsiness
- Slow weak pulse and breathing
What to do
- Call 000 if severe.
- Move to a warm, dry, sheltered place.
- Handle gently — rough movement can trigger cardiac arrest.
- Remove wet clothing; replace with dry layers or blankets.
- Cover the head and neck.
- Rewarm gradually with blankets, body warmth and a warm (not hot) environment.
- Give warm sweet drinks only if fully conscious. No alcohol or caffeine.
- Do not rub the skin or apply direct heat (hot water bottles, heaters).
- Be ready to start CPR — continue for longer than normal in hypothermia.
Questions & answers
What body temperature counts as hypothermia?
A core body temperature below 35 °C. Signs include shivering, cold pale skin, numbness, slurred speech and drowsiness.
Can I use a hot water bottle or heater?
No — rapid rewarming can cause heart rhythm problems. Rewarm gradually with dry layers, blankets and body warmth in a sheltered place.
How long should I do CPR in hypothermia?
Longer than usual. People have been successfully resuscitated after extended periods in cold water — "not dead until warm and dead".
Related topics
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion is treated by moving to a cool place, removing clothing and sipping cool water. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency — call 000 and cool the person rapidly by any means available.
Drowning
Remove the person from the water only if safe to do so. Start CPR immediately if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally — call 000 for every drowning casualty, even if they seem to recover.
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