Hypothermia First Aid Procedures
Hypothermia can be a serious and even deadly medical emergency. Most commonly, hypothermia is caused by exposure to extreme cold weather or to extremely cold water. These conditions can make it so that the body’s production of heat is less than the rate at which the body temperature is falling. In some circumstances, those with compromised systems such as the elderly or infants may also get a milder but still serious form of hypothermia from being in conditions that might not otherwise affect others, such as over-air conditioned homes. The effects of hypothermia can set in when body temperature falls below 95°F. When the cold spreads through the body, it can cause numerous symptoms including eventual failure of the heart and respiratory system, leading to death.
There are certain factors which make hypothermia more likely to occur. Body heat can be lost in several ways, but direct contact with something cold increases the likelihood of precipitous drops in temperature. Age and health play a factor as well in susceptibility to hypothermia. The very old and the very young tend to be more easily affected by the cold. Also, those who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or some kinds of medication are more susceptible. Alcohol, in particular, can trick the user into believing they are warm, but in fact the blood vessels are dilated, which makes heat loss more rapid. To compound the problems with alcohol consumption mixed with extreme cold, alcohol also affects judgment. The impaired judgment makes it more likely that the user will make bad judgment calls such as not wearing enough clothes or spending too much time in the cold weather.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
It is important to know the symptoms of hypothermia. Many times, the hypothermia could be combated and the long term effects cut down on if the symptoms had been recognized as hypothermia earlier. There are generally two issues with early recognition of hypothermia. The first is that one of the symptoms is muddled thinking. The muddled thinking means that it is much more difficult to realize you are in trouble. The second major problem is that the symptoms generally start slowly and mildly and grow to a more serious proportion.
The symptoms generally begin with shivering. Shivering often occurs for various reasons, as it is your body’s way of trying to warm itself. When shivering becomes constant, it is a sign that hypothermia is beginning to set in. Other signs include clumsiness, drowsiness, and confused thinking. The confused thinking can even lead to poor decisions, such as trying to take clothes off rather than trying to warm up and a complete lack of awareness of the severe conditions. As conditions progress and the symptoms get worse, there may also be a progressive lapse into unconsciousness, as well as a shortness of breath and a feeble pulse.
First Aid for Hypothermia
When hypothermia is suspected, the first thing to do is call 911 for emergency service. If the clothes of the person showing symptoms of hypothermia are wet, remove the clothes. Even if the person is not wet, layering on blankets and dry, warm clothes is a good first step. Generally the diagnosis of hypothermia is easily determined by the symptoms, but in cases where the symptoms are mild or indeterminate, a rectal temperature is taken.
Suffering long term from hypothermia also can make it more likely that other cold-related problems will occur. These problems include frostbite and damage to the vessels or nerves. Though rubbing may seem a quick way to warm someone suffering from hypothermia, it can actually bring on a heart attack. You should also not put direct heat on the body through heating pads or heat lamps. The best way to take care of someone with symptoms indicating hypothermia are simply to move them in from the cold with as little movement as possible, and to get them dry and covered with warm blankets. To further boost body temperature, you might also share your own body heat with them, or use warm drinks or dry heating pads from a first aid kit. Try to limit the amount of movement the sufferer goes through before help arrives from a hospital.
Upon reaching the hospital, if the symptoms have become severe, the medical professionals may take several steps. One option is to draw blood and re-warm it before putting it back in the body. Warm fluids may also be put in the body either intravenously or be put in the stomach or colon through a tube. Another option is to put warm humidified oxygen into the trachea. For any degree of hypothermia, it is most important that treatment be swift, before permanent damage is done or death occurs.