by Marcie Mattrass

Created on: November 23, 2009   Last Updated: November 24, 2009

How to recognize the signs of hypothermia:

Hypothermia is the the number one killer in the winter months; with these warning signs hopefully you will be able to save yourself, or others if an emergency like this should arise. Anyone who works outside, exercises outdoors, or if your involved in any outdoor activities during the cold or if you are around any water you should be aware and learn the warning signs of hypothermia.

Q.) Who is at risk of Hypothermia?

A.) Everyone is at risk; babies, children, thin people, and the elderly are at a higher risk because it is harder for them to keep their body heat in.

Q.) How does hypothermia happen?

A.) If your body heat is rapidly dropping and you have no way to generate more heat you could be at risk.

The first step towards hypothermia is exposure. Your mind will sense this which will then send a signal to your body letting you know it needs to increase heat production quick; one way of doing this is movement. A body that is kept moving will burn off more calories which in turn produces more heat.

Phase two you will begin to shiver uncontrollably. If your body looses heat the muscles will continue to move themselves to help generate and create heat. Unless you know the signs and act right away and try to reverse the heat loss you will then go into the third phase.

Third phase is exhaustion; exhaustion is caused from too much movement in the body. Your body soon can no longer take the heat loss and then you slip deeper into hypothermia; followed by death.

Recognize the signs of hypothermia: When your body temp goes below 95-97 degrees shriving might begin. Your hands and feet are prime targets for hypothermia; when the blood vessels in your hands and feet begin to pump out more blood to your vital organs it is trying to keep the body warm. Your hands and feet become numb and it becomes difficult to control there movement. When your body wants to keep moving because it needs to pump out more heat, this is a warning sign. When your body temp drops it becomes more difficult for you to maintain function over your movement, this in turn can slow you down; then it will become more and more difficult to press on once exhaustion sets in. You may also suffer from some mild confusion or even delusions before passing out.

Now lets take the proper steps to stop hypothermia: At the very first sign of hypothermia you must act quickly to stop the loss of heat. This would mean to stop any outdoor activities and try to seek shelter

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