What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia?

Key Takeaways – Hypothermia

• Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 35°C, with severe cases under 28°C, posing life-threatening risks.

• Early symptoms include shivering, confusion, drowsiness, and clumsiness; recognising these signs quickly is critical for treatment.

• Prevent hypothermia by staying warm, layering clothing, and keeping dry—wet clothing and overexertion increase heat loss.

• The COLD principle (Cover, Overexertion, Layers, Dry) is an easy way to remember key prevention strategies.

• Use the buddy system during outdoor activities such as hiking or boating, as others may spot symptoms you overlook.

• First aid for hypothermia includes removing wet clothing, wrapping in warm blankets, and applying warm compresses to the chest, neck, and groin.

• Avoid rubbing or massaging the casualty, as this can trigger cardiac arrest from sudden blood movement.

• Call triple zero (000) immediately in Australia if hypothermia is suspected—medical help is essential for moderate or severe cases.

• Hospital treatment may involve warmed IV fluids, heated oxygen, or lavage techniques to safely raise body temperature.

• Preparation and awareness are the best prevention—proper clothing, hydration, and vigilance can help avoid hypothermia in cold weather.

What is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is when a person’s body temperature drops due to weather conditions, cold temperatures, or even something as simple as cold water. Normal body temperature typically averages 37°C. In cases of hypothermia, the body temperature falls below 35°C. Severe hypothermia occurs when the core temperature drops to 28°C or lower. Read on as we discuss the best ways to prevent and treat hypothermia.

Staying Warm in Cold Weather

Make sure you or your children follow these basic guidelines before venturing outside in the cold: COLD – cover, overexertion, layering, and drying:

• Cover. Wear a hat or other headgear to protect your head, face, and neck from the cold. Instead of gloves, wear mittens to keep your hands warm.
• Avoid overexertion and activities that make you sweat excessively. When you wear damp clothes, and it’s cold outside, you’re more likely to lose heat.
• Layers. Wear loose-fitting, light clothing in layers. Closely woven, water-repellent outerwear is best for wind protection. Cotton does not hold body heat as well as wool, silk, or polypropylene.
• Dry. Keep yourself as dry as possible at all times. Wearing wet clothing might be dangerous. Snow can easily sneak into your mittens and boots, so be extra careful with your hands and feet.

Wear Proper Clothing

The most accessible actions you can take involve the things you put on your body, such as clothing. On days when it is cold, dress in layers, even if you do not believe it to be particularly cold outside. It is far simpler to rid oneself of layers of clothing than it is to fight against the cold. During the winter, covering all exposed cold skin and wearing appropriate headgear, gloves, and scarves is essential. Also, be careful if you exercise outside on chilly days. While sweating can help you cool down, it also makes your body more vulnerable to hypothermia.

Staying Dry

Staying dry is also essential. Avoid swimming for extended periods, and always dress in water-resistant gear while it’s raining or snowing outside to avoid getting wet. If you are in a boating accident or the water, you should remain as dry as possible inside or on the boat. Stay on land until you see someone come to aid you.

It’s crucial to maintain a healthy body temperature if you want to avoid hypothermia. Hypothermia can be avoided if the body’s temperature is kept at an average level. Even if you have no signs of hypothermia, you should seek medical attention if your temperature drops below 95°F.

Use the Buddy System

Use the “buddy system” when participating in any outdoor activity that could lead to hypothermia, such as bushwalking or mountaineering. Because of your state of mind, you may be unable to recognise the signs of hypothermia in yourself. Training in first aid is strongly recommended.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothermia?

Early and Mild Hypothermia Symptoms

It is essential to correctly identify hypothermia’s symptoms before treating it. Hypothermia’s symptoms gradually worsen with more exposure. Early warning signs include shivering, shallowed breathing, drowsiness, a slow pulse, lack of coordination, memory loss, and confusion or clumsiness.

Eventually, once it becomes a case of mild hypothermia, the initial symptoms worsen, and more are added. These include:

• A faster-than-normal heart rate,
• Confusion,
• Frequent urination,
  • Feeling tired or sleepy,
• And looking pale.

Moderate and Severe Hypothermia Symptoms

If the exposure to cold continues, the symptoms graduate to moderate and severe. Mild symptoms include garbled speech, hallucinations, irrational behaviour, lower blood pressure, larger pupils, stiffness in the muscles, and more. One telltale sign that should be watched is that the casualty eventually shivers less.

Once symptoms become severe, medical help should be sought. Here is a list of severe symptoms:

• Casualty stops shivering,
• No reflexes,
• Finding fluid in the lungs,
• Eventually, the loss of consciousness could lead to a coma or death.

Apart from these symptoms, uncontrolled or untreated hypothermia may add complications such as frostbite and gangrene. It is best to identify symptoms early and respond to them quickly.

What is the Treatment For Hypothermia?

A medical emergency exists when someone has hypothermia. If you or someone you know may be suffering from hypothermia, you should dial triple zero (000) as soon as possible. Treatment for hypothermia focuses on bringing the patient’s core temperature back up to within the normal range. 

What is the First Aid For Hypothermia?

While the injured individual or their caregiver waits for emergency care, here are the first aid tips that can be done to improve the condition, including the following:

Handle the person with care.

Take special care of the affected individual. Don’t massage them to get the circulation flowing again. Any movements that are overly strenuous or violent have the potential to induce cardiac arrest. They need to be moved or protected from the cold.

Take off the soaking clothes of the person.

Remove the person’s wet clothes. If necessary, cut them off so that the individual is not moved. Wrap a warm blanket around them from head to toe, including their faces, but avoid covering their mouths. If no blankets are available, your body heat can warm the items. If they are conscious, try to give them warm drinks or soup, as these can help raise their body temperature.

Apply warm compresses.

Warm (not hot) dry compresses, such as hot water bottles or a warmed towel, should be applied to the patient. The compresses should be used only on the chest, neck, and groin. They should not be used on the arms or legs, nor should a heat pack or lamps be used. If a compress is applied to these locations, cold blood will be pushed back towards the heart, lungs, and brain. Excessively high temperatures can result in burning skin or cardiac arrest.

Monitor the person’s breathing.

Keep an eye on the individual’s breathing. If the person appears to be breathing dangerously slowly or if they lose consciousness, you should administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you have been trained to do so.

Medical Treatment

Warm fluids, such as saline, are injected into the veins to treat severe hypothermia. In this treatment, blood is drawn, heated, and then returned to the body by a doctor. Masks and nasal tubes can also be used to re-warm the airways. A cavity lavage or stomach pump, in which a warm saltwater solution is pumped into the stomach, can also warm the belly.

What Are Other Hypothermia Treatments?

Hypothermia is a potentially life-threatening condition that needs emergency medical attention. If medical care isn’t immediately available:

• Do not wear damp clothing, including caps and gloves. Remove shoes and socks.
• Warm, dry clothing and blankets should be worn to shield the person from the wind, protect them from drafts, and prevent further heat loss.
• As quickly as possible, seek cover in a warm and dry place.
• Wear extra garments to begin rewarming the person. Use many blankets. Electric blankets, hot packs, and heating pads can be used to warm the body, armpits, neck, and groin; however, they can cause burns to the skin. If no other source of warmth is available, consider using your body temperature.
• If a thermometer is available, take the patient’s temperature.
• Avoid serving alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, which can cause a rapid loss of body heat. Do not attempt to administer fluids to someone unconscious.

Immediately seek aid if the hypothermic person is unconscious or has no pulse or breathing signals. If a pulse or signs of breathing can’t be found, start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) right away. Before beginning CPR, check the victim’s pulse for up to a minute to ensure it isn’t abnormally slow. If you detect a heartbeat, do not perform CPR.

Once expert arrive or the patient is transferred to a hospital, CPR should be performed until help arrives.

In cases of severe hypothermia, hospitalisation is required to rewarm the core. The therapy of hypothermia may involve the administration of warmed intravenous fluids, heated and humidified oxygen, peritoneal lavage (internal “cleaning” of the abdominal cavity), and other methods. During recovery, complications might include pneumonia, heart arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation (a dangerous “fluttering” heart rhythm), cardiac arrest (sudden cessation of the heartbeat), and death.

Anyone exhibiting symptoms of hypothermia needs immediate medical attention. Dial 911 if you believe someone is suffering from hypothermia.

Conclusion

Hypothermia is a serious condition, but it can be prevented and managed with the proper knowledge and precautions. Staying warm, dry, and aware of the symptoms is essential, especially during colder months or outdoor activities. If hypothermia does occur, early recognition and prompt action can make all the difference. Always seek medical help in severe cases, and remember that preparation is key to staying safe in the cold.