HYPOTHERMIA

Aaron Toome, Cameron Edwards & Zach Schwanck

AIMS/OBJECTIVE
1) Be able to describe thermoregulation and identify its relationship to
cold induced emergencies
2) Identify and explain the symptoms of hypothermia, frostbite, and nonfreezing cold injuries
3) Be able to apply correct treatment methods for hypothermia and other
cold related injuries
4) Describe and discuss preventative measure of hypothermia and other
cold related injuries and circumstances

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA
Occurs when core body temp. falls below 35 C
Body heat can be lost due to various reasons
3 tiers of severity
Contrasting Conditions (Hyperthermia)
Body temperature rises above 40 C

MYTHBUSTERS EXAMPLE

HEAT LOSS
Convection
The flow of air or liquid across skin, drawing away heat
Eg. Exposure to wind & water

Conduction
Direct transfer from the body to an object of lower temperature
Eg. Laying on cold ground/surfaces

Radiation
Radiation of heat from exposed areas of the body into the environment
Eg. Areas of exposed skin (head, hands, feet)

Evaporation
Fluid on the skin turns to vapour, drawing away heat in the process
Eg. Wet/moist skin, sweat, wet/damp clothes

HEAT PRODUCTION BEFORE AND AFTER

Before Hypothermia Strikes
Layer up!
Prepare for harsh conditions
Water-proof gear (dry bags) sleeping bag, tent, clothes

After Hypothermia Strikes

Replace wet clothes with dry items
Wrap in dry sleeping bag/blankets (emergency blanket)
Drink warm liquids (heat from inside out)
Move around to generate heat (if possible)
Use first aid heat-packs if available

ACTIVITY
Split into four groups
Patient 1
Patient 2
Patient 3
Patient 4
Each group will have a designated patient to assess and provide
appropriate first aid
Determine what severity the patients hypothermia is.

3 SEVERITIES OF HYPOTHERMIA
Mild
Moderate
Severe

MILD HYPOTHERMIA SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia include:
Slight confusion
Lack of coordination
Pale and cool to touch as blood vessels constrict in the skin
Numbness in the extremities
Sluggish responses, drowsiness or lethargic
Shivering
Increased heart rate and breathing.

MODERATE
Moderate cases of hypothermia (generally with a body temperature of 28-32C) can include symptoms
such as:
Decreasing conscious state
May have been incontinent of urine as a result of an increased workload on the kidneys related to
blood being shunted to the major organs
Slowed heart rate, breathing rate and low blood pressure.
Confusion
Impaired judgement and reasoning (someone with hypothermia may decide to remove clothing
despite being very cold)
Loss of co-ordination
Drowsiness
Slurred speech
People with a body temperature of 32C or lower will usually stop shivering completely. This is a sign
that their condition is deteriorating andemergency medical help is required

SEVERE
The symptoms of severe hypothermia (a body temperature of below
28C) can include:
unconsciousness
shallow or no breathing
a weak, irregular pulse,or no pulse
dilated pupils
Individuals with severe hypothermia may appear deceased.
Medical treatment can resuscitate people

TREATMENT METHODS MILD AND

MODERATE
Move the person out of the cold if this is not possible, protect them
from wind, cover their head and insulate their body from the cold
ground. If the person is moderately or severely hypothermic, move
them as gently as possible.
Remove wet clothing replace with a dry covering, preferably warm.
Cover the persons head.
Try to warm the person, Insulate them from the environment to retain
whatever heat they are producing

TREATMENT METHODS - SEVERE

First aid steps for severe hypothermia include: In an emergency, call triple zero (000).
While waiting for help to arrive, monitor the persons breathing. If they have severe
hypothermia, their breathing may become dangerously slow or shallow, or they may
cease breathing.
Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately if the person shows no signs of
life if they are not breathing normally, are unconscious or unresponsive, or not moving.
Never assume a person is dead. A person with severe hypothermia may only take one
breath per minute, with a heart rate of less than 20 beats per minute. Always assume
they are alive.

REFRESH ACTIVITY
You our out bushwalking and come across and individual who has been
exposed to the weather overnight and are starting to show signs of
moderate hypothermia.
What are the appropriate steps that should be taken to provide
appropriate care to this individual?

REFERENCE LIST
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/hypothermia
https://www.google.com.au/search?
q=dry+bags&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=919&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKE
wjkj7eCxejOAhXMDMAKHfu7AJMQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=p1nRjJ-FbqOG8M%3A
https://www.google.com.au/search?
q=first+aid+heat+pack&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=963&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ve
d=0ahUKEwjl3LbhxOjOAhXhBsAKHaUJBaYQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=5lFpQ9Bx_ZWj9M%3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VLZTgzUlX0