This document discusses hypothermia and cold weather survival. It describes the body's response to cold exposure, including the cold response, mild hypothermia, and severe hypothermia. The cold response is the body's normal reaction, involving blood vessel constriction and shivering. Mild hypothermia occurs when the body can no longer compensate, with symptoms like confusion and clumsiness. Severe hypothermia is a medical emergency, where core temperature drops below 90°F and victims lose consciousness. Treatment depends on the level of hypothermia, ranging from adding dry clothes and shelter for mild cases to gentle transport and preventing further heat loss for severe hypothermia.

1. Hypothermia and Cold
Weather Survival
Officer Stephen Verchinski
New Mexico State Parks

2. Cold Water Near Drowning
Drowning - Lungs fill with Water (aka
Pulmonary Aspiration
Near Drowning - Survival of up to 24
hours after a drowning episode.
(Warm and Dead - 30 Degrees C)
Hypothermia (Hypo- Low, Therme -Heat)
“A Dangerous Loss of Heat”

3. Cold Water Submersion
Adults - Asphyxiation and Immediate
Hypothermia
RAPID CORE COOLING - LOW BOD
Children - Cool More Rapidly
Heart to 7 BPM Epiglotis Closes
MAMMALIAN DIVING REFLEX 30 MIN.

4. FORCES IN THERMAL
REGULATION IN COLD
THIS IS A BALANCE BETWEEN THE COLD
CHALLENGE AND YOUR ABILITY TO
PRODUCE OR RETAIN HEAT.
THE COLD CHALLENGE -- The environment
working to take heat away from the body.
HEAT RETENTION -- The body’s ability to
retain heat.
HEAT PRODUCTION -- The body’s ability to
produce heat

5. Your Body’s Reaction to a
Cold Challenge
1. The Cold Response
2. Mild Hypothermia
3. Severe Hypothermia

6. The Cold Response
The body’s normal physiological response
to a cold challenge
ASSESSMENT
Blood is shunted from the periphery to the core.
Mild shivering: if exercise is not adequate for heat
production
A normal level of consciousness
Fine motor function may be impaired.
Increased urination causing a loss of fluid

7. The Cold Response
TREATMENT
 Add more clothing layers (Heat Retention)
 Increase fluid/fuel intake (Heat Production)
 Increase exercise (Heat Production)
 THE BOTTOM LINE -- EASILY DEALT WITH IF
RECOGNIZED EARLY. EMS INVOLVEMENT OR SAR IS
TO EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE.

8. MILD HYPOTHERMIA
THE BODY’S ABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR
THE COLD CHALLENGE IS OVERWHELMED
The onset of mild hypothermia is a field emergency,
indicating a significant drop in core temperature has
already occurred.

9. MILD HYPOTHERMIA
ASSESSMENT
Mental status changes: irritable, lethargic, mild
confusion (may appear drunk)
Shivering may be present
Loss of fine motor function
Shell to core shunting
Core temp. Less than 90 degrees F, 32 deg. C
Other VS within normal parameters

10. MILD HYPOTHERMIA
Treatment
Shelter from wind
and moisture
Remove wet clothes
:replace with dry.
Body to body contact
may be helpful
Insulate from the
ground or snow
Use a vapor barrier
over clothing to cut
evaporative heat loss
Take in fluids (warm
drinks)
Take in Calories
Exercise to increase
heat production once
above completed.

11. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
This is a true medical emergency.
The patient has lost all ability to fight the
cold challenge. Rescue efforts should be
directed to gentle rapid transport and
preventing further heat loss.

12. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
ASSESSMENT
Significant decrease in LOC
Shell to core effect is extreme
Core temperature less than 90 degrees F
No shivering
“Metabolic Icebox” effect. VS depressed
or unobtainable. Pupils dialated with CA

13. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
Treatment
Nothing by mouth
Airway to be open
Slow Mouth to Mouth
CPR
6-12 Breaths/Min.
40-60
Comp./Min.
Primary/Secondary
Injury Mgmt.
Reduce further heat
loss.
Package for rapid
transport accordingly
Handle gently
Prevent exercise
Avoid shell rewarming
Evacuate flat.

14. SEVERE HYPOTHERMIA
Treatment Concerns and Upgrades
Warmed, Humidified Oxygen (Rescue Air
RES-Q-AIR 9”x3”x2” weight 4.5 $1600
Flex Disks Thermo Pads. CORE AREA
ONLY
No Drugs -- Pooling Shock
Protocols EMS Academy Kyle Thornton
State of Alaska EMT I,II,III
JAMA October 28, 1992