Behavior in case of hypothermia – information and tips on the correct procedure

Whenever specially trained rescue teams head out into the mountains during the winter to treat an injured person or rush to the aid of an avalanche victim, it is almost always clear at the same time that the risk of hypothermia at the scene of the incident must be taken into account. However, a rescue team is not always able to arrive at the scene quickly or at all. Bad weather conditions and remote, opaque and impassable regions mean that, from the perspective of those seeking help, in most cases they first have to ensure that the first aid on site is provided using their own resources. But what do these measures look like? Very few people in the general population are aware of the dangers of hypothermia because they are rarely confronted with extreme situations in their daily lives. WOLFGANGS provides valuable information and tips on this topic and shows you what behavior you should focus on in the event of hypothermia.

When do we speak of hypothermia?

Every day, no matter what environment you are in, your body gives off heat to the environment, as every single action you perform generates heat. When you suffer from hypothermia, the ratio of heat given off to heat produced is out of whack. The body loses many times more heat than it produces. Depending on how long and how intensely this condition persists, the results can be extremely serious.

From a professional perspective, the degrees of hypothermia are divided into 3 different forms :

• arousal stage
• exhaustion stage
• paralysis stage

The severity is listed chronologically in the above list:

• The excitement stage is therefore the “mildest” form. The body temperature of those affected is between 34 and 37 degrees.
• In the exhaustion stage, the body temperature is between 30 and 34 degrees. Those affected sometimes show apathetic and listless traits. This form is the moderate form of all three subdivisions.
• The paralysis stage is the most severe of all forms. Body temperatures below 30 degrees are dramatic. Those affected are usually no longer responsive and no longer react to pain stimuli.

Whatever the severity, you must immediately alert a rescue team if the situation allows it. Otherwise, you must take your own measures as quickly as possible to improve the condition of the person affected.

What influences can lead to hypothermia?

Even though the scenes of someone buried in snow are probably the first images that each of us has in our heads, there are many other influences that can also be responsible for hypothermia:

• moisture
• Water
• Strong wind
• Poor clothing
• Good but damp or wet clothing

In addition, there are many influences and conditions that can accelerate hypothermia. These should not be underestimated either, as they can quickly worsen a situation that was initially thought to be under control. These include:

• Poisoning caused by the ingestion of medication, alcohol and/or drugs.
• Shock and states of shock, for example after an accident.
• Too low body weight / underweight
• powerlessness
• injuries of any kind

It is therefore important to take these accelerating influences into account in the event of an emergency so that you can react and the body is not exposed to additional stress.

Behavior in case of hypothermia - important measures for rescue

It is important that the person seeking help or suffering from hypothermia quickly gets to an area that promises milder conditions. Dry, wind-protected and, above all, warm places should logically always be the first choice, because there the water-soaked, soaking wet clothing can be removed from the hypothermic body. If the personal situation or the surrounding conditions do not allow this luxury, one should at least make sure that one makes the best of the personal situation. Depending on the form of the condition, special behavior should be carried out.

1. In the agitated stage, the person suffering from hypothermia should be wrapped in a warm blanket. If warm drinks are available, these can be given/consumed. Sugary drinks are also very beneficial in this form of the condition.

2. In the exhaustion stage, however, the focus should first be on a flat position. Only then should you wrap yourself up in a special thermal foil or blanket. In this form of the condition, it is important to remain conscious. Warm drinks with sugar can also help very well in this case.

3. In the paralysis stage, it is essential that the patient is placed in the recovery position. If this is not possible, at least a flat position should be ensured. Since the heartbeat and breathing of those affected can stop at this stage, intensive monitoring is particularly important. In an emergency, properly performed cardiac massage and rescue breathing must be started as quickly as possible.

As always, the same applies here: in all situations described, an emergency doctor or rescue service must always be alerted if the personal emergency allows it!

Common Myths About Hypothermia

Where people come into contact with the respective situations too rarely or where the educational work is not carried out consistently enough, myths and half-truths arise that can make a situation even worse in an emergency. We have noted some of these points here and show what the correct behavior is in the event of hypothermia.

Myth number 1: Let severely hypothermic people sleep

As described at the beginning of the text, when a person is severely hypothermic, their body is no longer able to produce enough heat. Given that the body shuts down significantly during sleep, it would be fatal to let someone who is severely hypothermic sleep and thereby encourage this downward spiral. It is important that the person does not fall asleep and that they are warmed up.

Myth number 2: Warming up helps with hypothermia

Tiny ice crystals in the skin of a person suffering from hypothermia would most likely cause an injury when legs and arms were rubbed warm, which could further worsen the patient's physical condition. Warming up with thermal foil, a blanket or, if necessary, even body heat is the only correct approach here.

Myth number 3: Help the hypothermic with a warm bath

Here too, clearly - wrong! Warming up too quickly can cause severe pain on the skin of someone suffering from hypothermia. Even a heart attack can be triggered by this too rapid change in temperature. As described above, a more defensive warming up is more helpful and safer. Blankets, thermal foil, etc. ensure a warm body in small, gentle steps.

Myth number 4: Drinking alcohol is helpful for hypothermia

Consuming alcohol widens the blood vessels, which in turn means that the body can cool down more quickly. This myth is also false. If warm drinks such as tea are available or can be prepared, then only these should be given. The warm feeling that one feels when consuming alcohol is not able to raise the body temperature of someone suffering from hypothermia.