What are the symptoms?

The first signs usually include feeling cold and uncontrollable shivering. If the person progresses into severe hypothermia, shivering usually stops.

The person may feel exhausted and their skin may be cool and pale. As hypothermia advances, other symptoms include fumbling hands, unsteady gait, slurred speech, confusion and drowsiness.

Hypothermia typically occurs when your body loses heat faster than it is able to produce it. The most common causes of hypothermia are seen when the patient is exposed to cold-weather conditions or is exposed to cold water. Prolonged exposure to low temperature environments that are lower than your body can lead to the onset of hypothermia if you are not dressed appropriately.

Hypothermia can progress slowly and affected people may not be aware they need medical help.
Symptoms of severe hypothermia include the following:

  • Shivering

  • Slurred speach
  • Slowed or shallow breathing

  • Weak or no apparent pulse

  • Dilated pupils, and coma

  • The person may appear dead


First Aid tips for treating hypothermia

  • Move the patient out of the cold environment and into a warm, dry location if possible. In the event that it is not possible to attempt to shield the patient from cold and winds as best as possible.

  • Remove wet clothing if possible, cut away the clothing if needed to reduce the patient’s excessive movement.

  • Monitor the patients breathing.  Severe hypothermia symptoms can result in the patient displaying no signs of breathing or an apparent pulse. If the Patients breathing appears to have stopped, appears shallow or low, begin CPR immediately if you are trained.
  • Do not apply direct heat to a patient suffering hypothermia. The extreme heat change can damage the skin and in some cases irregular heartbeats.
  • Provide dry warm towels, blankets or dry compresses to gradually heat the patient. Apply compresses only to the neck, chest wall or groin.

  • Provide warm beverages. If the patient is alert and able to swallow provide them with a warm, sweet, non-caffinated, non-alcoholic beverage to help warm the body. 

With no treatment, the condition is likely to lead to death. Contacting emergency services to provide professional emergency assistance is recommended.

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