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Hypothermia is a serious, potentially fatal condition that occurs when the body becomes excessively cold. (The term literally means 'low [body] temperature.') Here's how to identify the signs and what steps to take if someone around you is showing symptoms.
Understand Who Is Vulnerable
Although hypothermia can affect anyone, the CDC highlights that individuals most at risk include older adults without proper clothing or heating, babies sleeping in cold rooms, individuals who spend prolonged periods outdoors in cold weather, and those using alcohol or drugs that interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Identify the Warning Signs
Symptoms of hypothermia can include shivering, fatigue, and clumsy movements, which might not seem alarming for someone outdoors in cold weather. However, these can indicate hypothermia, along with confusion, forgetfulness, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If someone has consumed alcohol, don’t immediately assume they’re simply intoxicated; consider the possibility of hypothermia. Babies with hypothermia may appear sluggish and have cold, red skin.
Get Immediate Medical Assistance
Hypothermia is a critical medical situation, so call 911 if you can. If you have a thermometer, note that someone with hypothermia will have a body temperature below 95°F.
If the individual loses consciousness or seems to have no pulse, start CPR without delay. (This is an emergency, so you should also have someone dial 911 and also begin warming the person as explained below.) Keep performing CPR until professional help arrives or until the person begins to respond.
Carefully Warm the Person
If immediate medical help is unavailable or you're waiting for assistance, here’s what the CDC recommends:
If possible, bring the person into a warmer environment (indoors or the most sheltered location you can find) and remove any damp clothing. (Hypothermia can occur even in mildly chilly weather if someone is in wet clothes.)
Gradually warm the person’s core, including their head and torso. Electric blankets can be helpful, or you can use skin-to-skin contact beneath dry blankets. Warm beverages like tea can help raise their internal temperature, but never attempt to give a drink to someone who is unconscious.
Once the person's body temperature returns to normal, ensure they are dressed in dry clothes or blankets, and seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
A person suffering from hypothermia may also have frostbite, which commonly affects the extremities. However, hypothermia is the more critical medical concern, so prioritize addressing that before focusing on their fingers and toes.
