❄️ How to Treat Hypothermia

Hypothermia happens when a person’s body temperature drops below 35°C, usually due to cold weather, wind, or wet conditions.
It can come on gradually — but if untreated, it can become life-threatening.

Recognising the signs early and knowing what to do can save a life.

🧍 What Is Hypothermia?

Your body constantly balances heat production and loss.
When you’re exposed to cold air, wind, or water, you lose heat faster than you can generate it.
Eventually, your core temperature drops, slowing vital functions like heart rate and breathing.

⚠️ Early Signs and Symptoms

Look for these signs if someone has been outdoors, wet, or in the cold for too long:

• Shivering (which may eventually stop as hypothermia worsens)

• Pale, cold skin

• Slurred speech or confusion

• Clumsiness or poor coordination

• Tiredness or weakness

• Slow, shallow breathing

• In severe cases — loss of consciousness

If someone has been in cold water, symptoms can develop even after they’re removed from it.

🚨 Step-by-Step: How to Treat Hypothermia

1. Call 999 or 112 if the person is severely cold, confused, or drowsy.
   Hypothermia can worsen quickly and may require hospital treatment.

2. Move them to a warmer place.
   Shelter them from wind and rain. Indoors or a warm vehicle is best.

3. Remove wet clothing.
   Replace with dry layers — ideally thermal or wool. Use blankets, coats, or sleeping bags.

4. Warm the body gradually.

   • Focus on warming the chest, neck, and head first.

   • Use body heat, warm blankets, or hot water bottles wrapped in cloth.

   • Never use direct heat (like fires, radiators, or hot baths) — this can shock the heart.

5. Give warm drinks if they’re fully alert.
   Avoid alcohol or caffeine — they increase heat loss.

6. Keep monitoring.
   If they stop shivering, become unresponsive, or breathing slows, be ready to start CPR — see How to Perform CPR.

🧭 What Not to Do

• ❌ Don’t rub their arms or legs — it can damage the skin and push cold blood toward the heart.

• ❌ Don’t give alcohol or caffeine.

• ❌ Don’t immerse them suddenly in hot water.

• ❌ Don’t assume they’re okay once they stop shivering — that’s a warning sign of severe hypothermia.

🏕️ Preventing Hypothermia

• Dress in layers, including a waterproof outer shell.

• Keep spare dry clothes in a sealed bag when outdoors.

• Eat and drink regularly to maintain energy.

• Always have an emergency shelter or foil blanket when hiking or camping.

Even mild hypothermia can impair decision-making — prevention is easier than rescue.

Learn Outdoor First Aid with DAC Education

Our Outdoor and Environmental First Aid courses teach practical, hands-on techniques for managing cold-related conditions like hypothermia and frostbite.
Ideal for outdoor workers, group leaders, and adventurers.

👉 Join an Outdoor First Aid Course
(Delivered at our Suffolk HQ or on-site for groups of six or more.)

Disclaimer

This guide offers general first aid advice. Always call 999 or 112 for severe hypothermia or if the person becomes unresponsive.