Pike County Health Department Reminds Residents to Avoid Hypothermia
What is hypothermia? When exposed to cold temperatures your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, which affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
Hypothermia occurs most commonly at very cold environmental temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40 degrees F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.
Who is most at risk of hypothermia?
- Elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
- Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms
- Children left unattended
- Adults under the influence of alcohol
- Mentally ill individuals
- People who remain outdoors for long periods – the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
What are the warning signs of hypothermia?
Adults:
- Shivering/exhaustion
- Confusion/fumbling hands
- Memory loss/slurred speech
- Drowsiness
Infants:
- Bright red, cold skin
- Very low energy
Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity. Infants lose body heat more easily than adults and can’t make enough body heat by shivering. Infants less than one year old should never sleep in a cold room.
What should I do if I see someone with warning signs of hypothermia?
If you notice signs of hypothermia, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the situation is an emergency – get medical attention immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:
- Get the victim into a warm room or shelter
- If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it
- Warm the center of the body first – chest, neck, head, and groin – using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
- Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do NOT give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
- After body temperature has increased keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including head and neck.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.
A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.
Source: CDC Winter Weather