1. HYPOTHERMIA
Mother Natures Silent Killer!

2. HYPOTHERMIA
 Hypothermia is a medical condition that
results from the body’s inability to
adequately replace heat lost to the
surrounding environment. Heat is lost at a
faster rate then the body can generate heat
that is lost.
 It is a progressive condition that can be
reversed with appropriate care in the field.

3. HYPOTHERMIA
YOU have had it before!
 Have you ever felt cold?
 Did you begin to shiver?
 Did you shiver so hard that you
couldn’t stop shaking?
 YES?
 These were the early stages of hypothermia!

4. HYPOTHERMIA

5. HYPOTHERMIA
Types of Heat Transfer
 Convection.
 Radiation.
 Evaporation.
 Conduction .

6. HYPOTHERMIA
Normal Body Warming
 When the core temperature starts to drop, blood
vessels in the extremities constrict and blood is
returned to the core to maintain core temperature.
 The brain is very demanding and steals heat from
the rest of the body.
 Every 20 minutes the blood vessels in the
extremities will dilate for warm blood from the core
to flow and warm the extremities. This brings cold
blood back to the core to be warmed and lowers the
core temperature even more.

7. HYPOTHERMIA
 In some respects hypothermia is similar to heat
stress, but recovery and first aid are more
complex.
 With heat stress, the body is trying to get rid of
heat.
 With hypothermia, the body can’t generate heat
fast enough, so it conserves heat as best it can.
 Prevention of hypothermia is 100% preventable,
the same as heat stress.
 Hydration, diet and proper clothing are the key
essentials to prevention and survival.

8. HYPOTHERMIA
Primary Causes
 Failure to stay properly hydrated can
accelerate the onset of hypothermia.
 Failure to eat enough calories.
 Failure to have proper clothing for
conditions.
 Immobility.
 Medical conditions.

9. HYPOTHERMIA
Medical Risk Factors
 Age – infants and people over 65
 Alcohol use accelerates heat lose
 Illegal drugs
 Certain prescription drugs
 Diabetics
 People fighting infections
 Coronary problems

10. HYPOTHERMIA
Environmental Risk Factors
 Temperatures below 50 degrees
 Wind from 4 to 30 mph
 Rain
 Wet clothing from sweat, rain, snow,
etc.

11. HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms
 Core temperature (rectal) below 98.6 the
onset of hypothermia begins.
 98.6 – 95º Intense shivering, perform
complex tasks impaired, fatigue, poor
coordination, immobile and fumbling
hands. Get medical attention ASAP.

12. HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms (cont)
 95.0 – 91.4º Violent shivering, difficulty
speaking, slow thinking, amnesia starts to
appear, starts to loose contact with environment,
stumbling gate, feeling of deep cold and
numbness. Get medical attention ASAP.
 91.4 – 87.8º Shivering decreases, muscle
rigidity, erratic movement, thinking is not clear,
trouble standing, hallucinations, loses contact
with surroundings. CALL 911!!!

13. HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms (cont)
 87.8 – 85.2º Shivering stops, rigid
muscles, becomes irrational, starts into
stupor, slow pulse and respiration, pupils
started to dilate, skin starts to turn to blue,
drowsiness. CALL 911!!!

14. HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms (cont)
 85.2 – 78.8º Does not respond to spoken
word, erratic pulse, reflexes do not
function, person is only semi-conscious,
heart starts atrial fibrillation. THIS IS A
911MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!!

15. HYPOTHERMIA
Symptoms (cont)
 Below 78.8º Heart and respiratory failure,
ventricular fibrillation, probable brain and
lung hemorrhage. Even though the person
may appear to be dead, they may still be
able to be saved with immediate medical
intervention. THIS IS A 911MEDICAL
EMERGENCY!!!

16. HYPOTHERMIA
First Aid
 If it’s cold enough for the victim to suffer
hypothermia, it is cold enough for the rescuer to
suffer also.
 STOP THE EXPOSURE move to warmer
environment particularly out of the wind.
 Remove wet cloths and replace with warm dry
cloths, blankets, etc.. Don’t forget to cover the
head to retain heat. Apply warm compresses to
groin, armpits and back of neck.

17. HYPOTHERMIA
First Aid (cont)
 If the victim exhibits confusion, coma,
fumbling hands and/or slurred speech call
911.
 If the victim can follow directions, sit up
and is conscious, give warm non-alcoholic
beverage.
 Do Not give liquids to unresponsive victim.

18. HYPOTHERMIA
First Aid (cont)
 Do Not give victim any alcohol.
 Do Not warm arms, legs, hands or feet.
 Do Not rub or message arms, legs, etc.
 Victims of hypothermia have to be handled
carefully. Failure to do so may result in
cardiac failure.
 Proper warming and recovery of a
hypothermia victim should be done by
professional medical personnel.

19. HYPOTHERMIA
PREVENTION
 Eat a healthy meal which will provide enough
calories to generate heat in the environment.
 Eat snacks periodically to maintain calorie level.
 Have warm non-caffeinated beverages.
 Do not sit on cold items.
 Keep moving as much as possible.
 Wear appropriate clothing for insulation.
 Keep clothing dry.

20. HYPOTHERMIA
PREVENTION (cont.)
 Dress to survive not for looks.
What Not To Wear
 Don’t wear tennis shoes.
 Don’t wear cotton or nylon socks.
 Don’t wear blue jeans or denim jackets.
 Don’t wear cotton sweat shirts.
 Don’t wear short sleeve shirts or shorts.

21. HYPOTHERMIA
PREVENTION (cont.)
What To Wear
 Leather water repellent shoes or hiking shoes.
 Wool or wool blend hiking socks.
 Wool blend trousers.
 Long sleeve shirts.
 Wool or wool blend sweater.
 Coat or jacket that will insulate, repel water, wick away
sweat.
 Neck scarf.
 Gloves or mittens.
 Head covering, preferably a wool blend watch cap.

22. HYPOTHERMIA
 Every year in the U.S. between 600 and
700 people die of hypothermia.
 Every year in Arizona an average of 23
people die of hypothermia.

23. HYPOTHERMIA
Remember
 If left untreated, hypothermia can kill.
 Nobody ever froze to death — instead,
they died of hypothermia.
 The freezing part came later...
 ...and only if the temperature of the
surrounding environment was below
freezing.

24. HYPOTHERMIA
QUESTIONS?