First aid for hypothermia: what can and cannot be done

What is hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition when a person loses Hypothermia: First aid / Mayo Clinic more heat than it can generate, and at the same time its body temperature drops below 35 °C.

Hypothermia most often occurs when a lightly dressed person gets into the cold or falls into cold water. But sometimes it's enough just to be in the wind in wet clothes or spend some time in a poorly heated room at temperatures below 10 °C.

When it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance

Dial 103 or 112 immediately if you are sure that your body temperature has dropped below 35 °C.

If there is no such certainty, however, environmental conditions and human condition say Hypothermia / Mayo Clinic about possible hypothermia, a doctor's call is also necessary.

What are the signs of hypothermia

Here are the symptoms Hypothermia / Mayo Clinic a dangerous decrease in body temperature can be recognized.

• Strong trembling. This is the first healthy reaction to the cold. With a further decrease in temperature, the trembling may stop, and this is a dangerous signal.
• Speech changes. The tongue and lips become clumsy, speech becomes slurred, mumbling.
• Slowing of breathing and pulse.
• Clumsiness. Fingers do not bend well, the reaction rate decreases, and coordination of movements is impaired.
• Growing weakness. Even to the point of drowsiness. I just want to fall down (sit down, lie down) and relax.
• Confusion of consciousness. It can manifest itself, for example, as follows: a person does not hear or answers questions at random. Or he suddenly starts talking about an event that is completely unrelated to what is happening around him.
• Loss of consciousness.

Please note: the freezing person himself may not realize that he is in danger. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, the symptoms of hypothermia increase gradually. There is no clear line when you can confidently say: before that, the cold was tolerable and safe, but now the situation is becoming threatening. Secondly, due to the confusion associated with hypothermia, a person is simply unable to critically assess his condition. And often makes the ruinous decision to stay out in the cold, to endure.

What is the danger of hypothermia

Normal body temperature of an adult varies What is a normal body temperature? / Cleveland Clinic in the range from 36.4 °C to 37.6 °C. It is in this temperature range that flows Time to redefine normal body temperature? / Harvard Health Publishing There are millions of chemical processes that ensure the healthy functioning of organs, tissues and the body as a whole. When the temperature rises or falls, all this chemistry fails.

Hypothermia occurs faster if a person is exhausted or dehydrated.

When hypothermia occurs, the first thing that is broken is Hypothermia / Mayo Clinic the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, lungs. If help is not provided in time, a decrease in temperature can lead to complete heart failure, respiratory arrest and death.

What should be the first aid for hypothermia

It doesn't matter if you are waiting for an ambulance or have decided that you can do without it: the rules of first aid are the same Hypothermia: First aid / Mayo Clinic .

1. Move the victim (or move yourself if you think you are overcooled) to a warm place. For example, into a room or into a heated car. Just take your time, move slowly and carefully.
2. If it is not possible to be warm, provide protection from the cold. Preferably from all sides. To isolate the body from the ground, put branches or clothes under it. Cover it with something warm and windproof. It is especially important to insulate the neck and head, leaving only the face open.
3. If your clothes get wet, take them off carefully. Replace with a dry one or just take warm blankets.
4. Start restoring normal body temperature. This can be done with the help of warm dry compresses (hot water bottles, electric blankets, a bottle of warm water wrapped in a thin cloth). First, apply compresses to the neck, chest or groin, but not to the limbs.
5. Give the victim (or drink) something warm and sweet. Tea or compote from a thermos will be perfect, but in no case mulled wine or other alcoholic beverages.
6. Watch your breathing. In case of hypothermia, it can stop at any time. In this case, it is necessary that others are ready to perform artificial respiration and indirect heart massage.

What not to do with hypothermia

1. Move fast. This can lead to circulatory disorders and cardiac arrest.
2. Massage and rub the body. For the same reasons.
3. Apply a warm compress to your hands or feet. Because of this, the blood flow will become more active, and cold blood will flow to the heart and other internal organs, further lowering their temperature.
4. Raising your body temperature too fast. No hot baths! A sharp warm-up will put an excessive load on the cardiovascular system, and it is not a fact that the heart will cope with it.
5. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Because of these products, it becomes more difficult to keep warm.

How to prevent hypothermia

Recall the safety rules.

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast and try not to walk for long if it is freezing outside or even the temperature is below 10 °C, which is accompanied by increased humidity and wind.
• Dress according to the weather. Ideally, use the principle of layering. On cold days, wear three layers of clothing. First, a thin thermal underwear that removes excess moisture and retains heat. Then - a dense but breathable middle layer, such as a fleece jacket. Outerwear — insulated jacket or down jacket.
• Do not drink alcohol to keep warm. Mild intoxication is a sure way to overlook the dangerous symptoms of hypothermia. In addition, alcohol dilates blood vessels, and the body loses heat faster.
• Be especially careful if you belong to risk groups. The elderly, underweight people, as well as those with certain diseases (hypothyroidism, diabetes, severe arthritis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and injuries, stroke) are the easiest to hypothermia. The risk group also includes people taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, painkillers and sedatives.
• Keep children away from the cold. Bring them into a warm room as soon as they start to tremble — this is the first sign of hypothermia. Dress infants and young children one layer warmer than they would have dressed themselves in the same weather. Do not leave your child sleeping on the balcony or in a room with a temperature below 10 °C.
• Learn to recognize and respond to the symptoms of hypothermia in time. This will help to keep you and the people around you healthy.