Health Protection

                        F a c t s

Hypothermia

What is hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a condition that occurs as a result of over-exposure to the cold. The core body temperature falls to 35ºC or 95ºF or lower. Body heat can be lost through bare skin, breathing, drying perspiration, wind and touching cold objects.

What are the symptoms of hypothermia?                                                

As the body temperature drops, consciousness begins to get clouded. The person is pale and lethargic, appears confused or disorientated and may hallucinate. In the beginning stages of hypothermia, the person may shiver a lot, but as body temperature drops, the shivering begins to decrease. This may give people a false sense of well-being. In severe hypothermia, the body core temperature is below 30ºC or 86ºF. The person becomes unconscious, breathing is shallow and the pulse is irregular or hard to detect.  Persons experiencing any symptoms of hypothermia should seek medical attention immediately.

Who is at risk of developing hypothermia?

Any individual exposed to cold conditions for long periods of time are at risk for hypothermia. Elderly persons and infants under one year of age are especially vulnerable.

Prevention Measures

• Move to a warm place and do not stay in an unheated home. If you must remain in an unheated home, keep the head, hands and feet well covered and dry. Keep moving as physical activity created heat throughout the body.
• Wear many layers of clothing (4-5 layers such as long underwear, several pairs of socks, gloves and mittens).
• Keep your head covered (wear a toque).
• Eat lots of energy foods (such as chocolate, sweets, dried fruit).
• Drink plenty of fluids and hot drinks.
• Avoid alcohol, coffee and cigarettes (these products give you a false sense of warmth).
• Keep moving the arms and legs to create heat in your body. Do not rub arms and legs.
• Stay dry; replace wet clothes with dry clothes.
• Prevent further heat loss through shelter, top and bottom blankets and hot water bottles.