1. Hypothermia Depression of body core temperature
Insidious, debilitating, can be fatal
Common in winter outdoor activities
PREVENTION is the best treatment

2. Heat Balance Heat Gain Heat Loss HYPOTHERMIA Basal Metabolism
Voluntary Exercise
Shivering
(Intake)
Heat Loss
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Evaporation
Respiration
HYPOTHERMIA

3. Depth of Severity
CORE TEMPERATURE DEPRESSION
INCREASING DEPTH
SHIT

4. Signs and Symptoms Judgement is the First Thing to Go
If you are shivering you are mildly hypothermic
A hypothermic hiker gets the “UMBLES”
grumbles
fumbles
bumbles
stumbles
tumbles
Untreated hypothermia leads to coma and death

5. Treatment Prevention, Prevention, Prevention Conscious
Remove wet clothes, add dry insulating layers
HYDRATE and give simple sugars (jello, cocoa, etc)
Exercise to generate heat
Reduced Consciousness
“hypo wrap”
Dry clothes, lots of insulation, windproof covering
Do not attempt body-to-body rewarming
Patient must be carefully evacuated and rewarmed in hospital