Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 35°C. It typically happens in cold environments where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential first aid steps to treat hypothermia effectively.

Step 1: Recognise the Signs of Hypothermia

The first step in providing first aid for hypothermia is recognising its signs. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition but generally include:

• Mild Hypothermia: Shivering, fatigue, confusion, slurred speech, and clumsiness.
• Moderate Hypothermia: Intense shivering, worsening confusion, difficulty moving, and slow, shallow breathing.
• Severe Hypothermia: No shivering, unconsciousness, very slow breathing and pulse, and blue or pale skin.

Immediate action is crucial once you suspect hypothermia.

Step 2: Move the Person to a Warm Environment

If possible, get the person indoors or into a sheltered area away from the cold, wind, and wet conditions. If indoors is not an option, seek shelter from the wind and cover the person with a blanket or any available warm clothing.

Step 3: Remove Wet Clothing

Wet clothing can accelerate heat loss, so it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. Replace the wet clothes with dry, warm layers. If dry clothes are not available, wrap the person in blankets, towels, or any insulating materials available, such as sleeping bags or even newspapers.

Step 4: Warm the Body Gradually

When providing first aid for hypothermia, it’s important to warm the person gradually. Start with the body’s core—specifically the chest, neck, and head areas. You can use warm (not hot) compresses, hot water bottles, or warm blankets to achieve this. Avoid applying direct heat, such as from a hot water bottle or electric blanket, to the extremities like hands or feet first, as this can cause shock.

Step 5: Offer Warm, Non-Alcoholic Beverages

If the person is conscious and able to swallow, offer them warm, sweetened, non-alcoholic drinks like tea, broth, or hot water with honey. This helps to increase the body’s internal temperature. Avoid alcohol or caffeine, as they can hinder the body’s ability to retain heat.

Step 6: Call for Emergency Help

While you’re administering first aid for hypothermia, it’s critical to call emergency services as soon as possible. Hypothermia is a medical emergency, and professional medical treatment is often necessary. Stay with the person until help arrives, continuing to warm them and monitor their condition.

Step 7: Monitor Breathing and Be Prepared for CPR

Severe hypothermia can slow the heart rate and breathing to dangerous levels. Monitor the person’s breathing and pulse closely. If they become unconscious and you cannot detect breathing or a pulse, begin CPR immediately if you are trained to do so, and continue until emergency medical services arrive.

Step 8: Avoid Rubbing or Massaging the Person

While it might seem helpful to rub the person’s skin to generate warmth, this can actually cause more harm than good, particularly in severe hypothermia. Rubbing can cause cold blood to circulate back to the heart, leading to a potentially fatal drop in core body temperature.

Providing first aid for hypothermia requires quick thinking and careful action. By recognising the signs early and following these steps, you can help stabilise the person until medical help arrives. Always remember that hypothermia is a serious condition that demands urgent attention, so do not hesitate to seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible.To learn how to confidently and effectively treat conditions such as hypothermia, consider taking one of our outdoor first aid courses.