Hypothermia (continued)

Treatment of Hypothermia

• Find shelter for the victim.
• Remove wet clothing, and replace with dry clothing and other protective covering. If there is no dry clothing, use a fire to dry one layer at a time.
• Give warm liquids to rehydrate and rewarm, but never give the victim alcohol to drink. Quick-energy foods also produce inner body heat.

• For mild cases, use fire, blankets, or another person's body heat to warm the victim.
• In more advanced stages, rewarm the victim slowly by placing one or more persons in body contact with the victim. Place canteens of hot water nsulated with socks or towels on the groin, armpits, and sides of the neck of the victim.
• A victim at or near unconsciousness must be handled gently, and not immersed in a warm bath or exposed to a large fire, which can lead to traumatic shock or death. Immediately contact emergency medical personnel to evacuate the victim to a hospital for treatment.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when tissue freezes. The best prevention is to avoid severe weather. If you're caught in extremely cold weather, pay attention to your head and extremities, such as fingers, toes, ears, and nose. Wear a face cover if the temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit. If you experience any symptom of frostbite, treat immediately.

Symptoms of Frostbite

• Skin turns off-white
• Prickly or tingling feeling as ice crystals form
• Pain may be present initially, then disappears as frostbite progresses
• In severe cases, loss of feeling in the affected area

Treatment of Frostbite

• Warm the affected area with body heat, but avoid rubbing the area—it can damage tissue.
• Don't use hot water or other external heat sources, which could cause burns.
• Wrap with warm, dry clothing.
• Move to a warm shelter.
• Drink hot liquids.
• Get medical attention.