First Aid Guides
Hypothermia (Cold stress)
What to do if someone has a cold-induced condition
Cold-induced conditions, also known as Hypothermia, occur when the body's temperature drops below 35ºC.
Factors that might increase the risk of hypothermia are old and young age, dementia or immobilising illnesses, water immersion, alcohol and drugs.
Hypothermia has three stages - mild, moderate or severe. Severe hypothermia is life-threatening.
Learn more about triggers, signs and symptoms.
Start with DRSABCD
D - Danger
Assess the area to ensure its safe for yourself, others and the patient. Only proceed to help them if its safe.
R - Response
Check for a response. You can do this by asking their name and squeezing their shoulders.
- If they do respond: Make them comfortable and continue to follow the steps in this guide
- If they don't respond: Send for help immediately (call Triple Zero 000) and follow the DRSABCD Action Plan
First aid for severe hypothermia
If someone has severe hypothermia, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Send for the nearest defibrillator if available.
Step 1: Prevent further heat loss
- Move them to shelter - a dry warm place out of the wind
- Remove wet clothes
- Make them comfortable and reassure
Step 2: Begin slowly warming them
- Cover them with something warm and dry, such as a blanket
- The covering should be as close to the skin as possible
- Find additional heat sources such as warm drink to sip, heater or hot water bottle
- Remember to heat them gradually and be careful not to burn them as their sensation might of numbed
Step 3: Stay with them
- Stay with the person until an ambulance arrives
- Monitor their symptoms to make sure they aren't getting worse
- Make sure they don't fall asleep
- Follow the DRSABCD Action Plan if the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally
What not to do
- Warm them up too quickly
- Massage or rub them
- Give them caffeine or alcohol
- Place them in hot water
- Leave them alone
