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[Skip to content](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#content) [](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/ "First Aid for Free | Home page") - [Register to Learn First Aid Online](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/register/) - [Log In](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/login-2/) - [Free Online First Aid Courses](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/free-online-first-aid-courses/) - [Basic Online First Aid Course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/free-first-aid-course/) - [Advanced Online First Aid Course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/advanced-online-first-aid-course/) - [Pediatric Online First Aid Course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/pediatric-online-first-aid-course/) - [Online AED Course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-automated-external-defibrillator-aed-course/) - [Online CPR Course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-cpr-course/) - [Online Anaphylaxis Awareness](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-anaphylaxis-awareness/) - [Online Asthma Awareness](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-asthma-awareness/) - [First Aid Quizzes](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-quizzes/) - [Blog](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/category/first-aid-blog/) - [First Aid Book](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/the-complete-first-aid-pocket-guide/) - [First Aid Training Resources](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-training-resources/) - [Help](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/help-faq/) - [Register to learn first aid online](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/register/) - [Log In](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/login/) [](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/ "First Aid for Free | Home page") Free Online First Aid, CPR and AED Training With Certificates - [Home](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/ "Free online first aid training") - [Free Online First Aid Courses](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/free-online-first-aid-courses/ "Free online first aid training") - [Basic online first aid course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/free-first-aid-course/ "Free online first aid course") - [Advanced online first aid course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/advanced-online-first-aid-course/) - [Pediatric online first aid course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/pediatric-online-first-aid-course/ "Free pediatric online first aid course") - [Online AED course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-automated-external-defibrillator-aed-course/ "Online Automated External Defibrillator (AED) course") - [Online CPR course](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-cpr-course/) - [Online Anaphylaxis Awareness](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-anaphylaxis-awareness/ "Online Anaphylaxis Awareness Training") - [Online Asthma Awareness](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/online-asthma-awareness/) - [First Aid Quizzes](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-quizzes/) - [Blog](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/category/first-aid-blog/ "First aid blog") - [First Aid Book](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/the-complete-first-aid-pocket-guide/ "First Aid Pocket Guide and Complete Book") - [First Aid Training Resources](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-training-resources/ "Free first aid training resources and presentations") - [Help](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/help-faq/ "Help / FAQ") - [First aid tips & advice](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/category/first-aid-blog/first-aid-tips/) - [5](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#comments) # Winter first aid: how to recognise and treat hypothermia by [John Furst](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/author/john/ "Posts by John Furst") · Published December 5, 2013 · Updated January 19, 2023 11 SHARES [Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstaidforfree.com%2Fwinter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia%2F)[Tweet](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Winter%20first%20aid%3A%20how%20to%20recognise%20and%20treat%20hypothermia&url=https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/&via=firstaidadvice) Subscribe to New First Aid For Free Email address (required) First name Last name Subscribe Powered by [EmailOctopus](https://emailoctopus.com/?urli=PHFKr&utm_medium=user_referral&utm_source=builder) Our normal body temperature is around 37°C (or 98.6°F). This temperature is required for our body to function correctly. Hypothermia develops when our body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), below this temperature the body struggles to function.[](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Hypothermia2.jpeg) ### What causes hypothermia? Hypothermia normally develops due to the environment being too cold. This could be due to being outside for long periods of time or being in cold water. Elderly and vulnerable people are also at risk of hypothermia in cold houses. ### What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia? Hypothermia can cause the following signs and symptoms: - Tiredness - Shivering (in the early stages, shivering may stop when hypothermia becomes very serious) - Cold, pale skin - Reduced level of consciousness / drowsiness / confusion - Loss of attention / judgement ### What is the first aid treatment for hypothermia? First aid for hypothermia involves two main goals: 1\) Prevent any further heat loss (ie, stop the person getting any colder) 2\) Gently warm the patient To do this you can take steps such as: - Remove the person from the cold environment - Remove any wet clothing - Use blankets, coats and clothing to wrap around the patient - Share body heat - Encourage the person to drink a warm drink and/or eat food high in energy If you are at all concerned you should call for emergency help early. Do not give the person any alcohol to drink as this will cause blood vessels to dilate, causing them to lose more heat. It is also important to ensure you don’t warm the person up too quickly – do not be tempted to place them in a hot bath\!   John Furst JOHN FURST is an experienced emergency medical technician and qualified first aid and CPR instructor. John is passionate about first aid and believes everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency situation. #### You may also like... - [](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/how-to-renew-cpr-certification/) [0](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/how-to-renew-cpr-certification/#respond) #### [How to Renew CPR Certification? 5 Quick and Easy Steps](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/how-to-renew-cpr-certification/) November 8, 2023 by [John Furst](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/author/john/ "Posts by John Furst") · Published November 8, 2023 - [](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/what-are-the-two-shockable-rhythms/) [0](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/what-are-the-two-shockable-rhythms/#respond) #### [What are the Two Shockable Rhythms in CPR?](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/what-are-the-two-shockable-rhythms/) November 24, 2023 by [John Furst](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/author/john/ "Posts by John Furst") · Published November 24, 2023 - [](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-tip-first-aid-for-a-snake-bite/) [0](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-tip-first-aid-for-a-snake-bite/#respond) #### [First aid tip: first aid for a snake bite](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-tip-first-aid-for-a-snake-bite/) December 20, 2011 by [John Furst](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/author/john/ "Posts by John Furst") · Published December 20, 2011 · Last modified December 26, 2013 ### 5 Responses - [Comments5](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#commentlist-container) - [Pingbacks0](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#pinglist-container) 1.   moonmoon says: [January 8, 2014 at 11:52 am](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#comment-12433) This is some really useful advice, given the polar vortex that’s impacting the majority of the United States right now! Are there any recommended ways for best controlling the speed at which you warm someone up since you’re not supposed to do it too quickly? I’d also love to know what the best signs are that what you’re doing is effectively helping them. Obviously, I’d imagine, the potential victims body temperature would raise, and they’d regain their energy, but are there more subtle implications that what you’re doing is effectively helping them? [Log in to Reply](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/login/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstaidforfree.com%2Fwinter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia%2F) 2.   cpefley says: [January 18, 2014 at 9:14 am](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#comment-12500) Great tips! Especially the one about not warming the person up too quickly. I had a friend whose dog died because of that. It was awful! Hypothermia is so dangerous, and this winter has been a rough one. Thanks for sharing this advice\! [Log in to Reply](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/login/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstaidforfree.com%2Fwinter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia%2F) 3.   katews says: [January 18, 2014 at 9:24 pm](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#comment-12508) This is a very timely article because so much of the US is experiencing very cold weather right now (although it was worse a few weeks ago!) We have some bitter cold days coming up again within the next week and knowing first aid is very valuable. I’m glad you added the warning about the alcohol… I suspect many people would think that’s a quick way to warm someone up… not realizing that would be a wrong answer. [Log in to Reply](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/login/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstaidforfree.com%2Fwinter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia%2F) 4.   snegal says: [January 21, 2014 at 12:10 am](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#comment-12523) Great tips! This will surely come in useful in the North of England during these winter months. I was under the impression Alcohol would not have been the worst idea so I am glad to have read this. [Log in to Reply](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/login/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstaidforfree.com%2Fwinter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia%2F) 5.   Linkzelda41 says: [January 21, 2014 at 3:53 am](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/winter-first-aid-advice-recognise-hypothermia/#comment-12545) I agree that one shouldn’t warm up the individual too fast, seeing how the body wouldn’t be able to properly balance out that level of intake. The same idea can be applied to how swimming up to the surface too quickly can be bad because of things like osmotic pressure and such. It’s surprisingly cold over here lately in Texas, and it has been shifting from hot and cold like crazy that I’m starting to become concerned if it would be safe to wear no jacket only to feel cold an hour or so later going out somewhere. I should be glad to be in a house where conditions are controlled, because I know a friend that has to use their ovens as their main source of heat at times in weather that’s in the negatives\! 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Our normal body temperature is around 37°C (or 98.6°F). This temperature is required for our body to function correctly. Hypothermia develops when our body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), below this temperature the body struggles to function.[](https://www.firstaidforfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Hypothermia2.jpeg) ### What causes hypothermia? Hypothermia normally develops due to the environment being too cold. This could be due to being outside for long periods of time or being in cold water. Elderly and vulnerable people are also at risk of hypothermia in cold houses. ### What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia? Hypothermia can cause the following signs and symptoms: - Tiredness - Shivering (in the early stages, shivering may stop when hypothermia becomes very serious) - Cold, pale skin - Reduced level of consciousness / drowsiness / confusion - Loss of attention / judgement ### What is the first aid treatment for hypothermia? First aid for hypothermia involves two main goals: 1\) Prevent any further heat loss (ie, stop the person getting any colder) 2\) Gently warm the patient To do this you can take steps such as: - Remove the person from the cold environment - Remove any wet clothing - Use blankets, coats and clothing to wrap around the patient - Share body heat - Encourage the person to drink a warm drink and/or eat food high in energy If you are at all concerned you should call for emergency help early. Do not give the person any alcohol to drink as this will cause blood vessels to dilate, causing them to lose more heat. It is also important to ensure you don’t warm the person up too quickly – do not be tempted to place them in a hot bath\!