Prevention
- Ensure you have windproof, warm and waterproof clothing with you.
- In bad conditions eat energy-giving foodstuff regularly.
- Avoid tiredness
Symptoms
- Lethargy, uncoordinated movement, irrational behaviour and reduced consciousness may all be signs of hypothermia, which is a serious condition.
- Shivering may stop and unconsciousness may set in within half an hour.
- Serious hypothermia requires urgent treatment.
Treatment
- Find shelter, change into dry clothes and take hot, sweet drinks.
- Avoid alcohol.
- In severe cases, keep patient awake.
- Get patient into sleeping bag with somebody else, removing clothes of both to aid in rapid heat transfer.
This information is provided merely as a guideline and the author does not accept responsibility for incorrect/incomplete information. |
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