Hypothermia

What can cause cold-induced conditions?

• Exposure to cold, wet, or windy conditions
• Being in cold water
• Trauma, immobility and burns
• Illness
• Severe infections

Signs an symptoms of hypothermia

Hypothermia has three stages – mild, moderate or severe. The signs and symptoms of hypothermia can be approximately grouped by temperature ranges.

Mild hypothermia (35-32 ºC)

For mild hypothermia, signs and symptoms include:

• Pale and cool to touch
• Numbness in limbs, toes and fingers
• Sluggish responses and drowsiness
• Shivering
• Increased heart rate and breathing
  
  

Moderate hypothermia (32-28 ºC)

For moderate hypothermia, signs and symptoms include:

• Decreasing state of consciousness
• May lose bladder control
• Sluggish responses and drowsiness
• Shivering stops
• Slowed heart and breathing rate
• Low blood pressure
  
  

Severe hypothermia (below 28 ºC)

For severe hypothermia, signs and symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Heart rate may become irregular or stop
• The pupils are unresponsive to light
• Muscles become stiff
• Pulse and breathing may become hard to detect