"Handling Hypothermia: First Aid Procedures for Cold-Related Emergencies"

https://cpraedcourse.com/blog/hypothermia/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682

What is hypothermia?

• Hypothermia refers to the state of your body when it reaches an internal temperature below 95ºF or 35ºC. There are many types of hypothermia, categorized by severity or how it happens. While the different types of hypothermia evoke different symptoms, the most universal symptoms of hypothermia are shivering, weak pulse and/or shallow breathing. 

Different types of hypothermia, categorized by severity:

1. Mild Hypothermia (32-35ºC/ 89.6-95ºC)

2. Shows signs of shivering, has cold or pale skin, and/or has confusion/sluggish thinking.

3. Moderate hypothermia (28-32ºC/82.4-89.6ºF)

4. Shivering is intense, speech is slurred and poor coordination is shown with signs of drowsiness. 

5. Severe hypothermia (below 28ºC/82.4ºF)

6. No shivering is present. Pulse is irregular or weak, causing weakening breathing. Falls in and out of consciousness. Has the highest risk of heart failure or death. 

Different types of hypothermia, categorized by how it happened: 

1. Acute Hypothermia

2. Caused by quick actions, such as falling into icy water. This causes the body to lose heat quickly, and your internal body temperature can plummet quickly.

3. Chronic Hypothermia

4. Happens slowly, usually over hours or days. This can be evoked by prolonged exposure to mild or moderate cold for extended periods of time. As it occurs gradually, it is the most difficult to catch on to.

5. Exhaustion Hypothermia

6. Caused by severe exhaustion that causes your body to lose heat faster than you’re producing. This is most common among outdoor workers and hikers.

7. Perioperative Hypothermia

8. Occurs during or after surgery when the body is exposed to cold operating rooms or from anesthesia. Operating rooms are kept cool, and the anesthesia can interfere with the body’s ability to generate heat, causing a decrease in body temperature. 

What to do if someone around you are expressing signs of hypothermia:

• Call emergency services

• Move them to a warm place, and start warming them gradually using blankets or skin-to-skin contact. 

• Remove we clothing (if any)

• Avoid using forms of direct heat (like heating pads), as they could possibly cause heart issues.