What is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a condition which is triggered when the body’s warming abilities fail or are overwhelmed. This causes the body temperature to drop below 35°C, under the normal average of 37°C.

With the onset of winter, Victorians are exposed to colder, wetter and windier weather conditions. You could find yourself in a situation where hypothermia arises and if the condition is not identified and managed within the early stages, it could potentially be life-threatening.

Warning Signs For Hypothermia

When the body temperature falls initially, early warning signs may include:

• Feeling cold
• Shivering
• Clumsiness and slurred speech
• Apathy and irrational behaviour

As the body temperature continues to drop, signs to look for include:

• Shivering usually stops
• Pulse may be difficult to find
• Heart rate may slow
• Level of consciousness continues to decline

As the body temperature drops below 30°C, warning signs include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Irregular heart rhythm

As the body temperature continues to fall further, the heart may arrest, resulting in death.

Preventing Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s warming mechanisms fail and the body temperature drops below 35°C. In order to avoid falling susceptible to hypothermia you must:

• Avoid extremely cold, wet or windy weather conditions
• When entering cold, wet or windy environments always dress appropriately. Clothing items may include; thermals, woollen socks, beanies, gloves, heavy-duty boots, waterproof pants and jacket.
• Pay extra attention to children and the elderly in cold, wet or windy environments. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to colder temperatures and may not be able to tolerate conditions as well as adolescents and adults.
• Always ensure babies are dressed weather appropriately. Babies have the ability to become hypothermic in temperatures which adults would not be impacted by.

Important note: Babies lose heat very easily. A baby may look healthy and happy with the only signs of hypothermia being cold skin, unusual quietness, drowsiness or lack of appetite.

Hypothermia Treatment

If someone is showing the signs of hypothermia it is imperative you follow the DRSABCD plan immediately. You can refresh your memory of DRSABCD here.

Once you have applied DRSABCD you must follow these steps for hypothermia treatment:

1. Move the person to a warm, dry place
2. Help the patient to lie down in a comfortable position. Handle the person gently when moving - avoid excess activity or movement
3. Remove any wet clothing
4. Place the person in a blanket or sleeping bag and wrap them in an emergency blanket
5. Cover the head to retain as much body heat as possible
6. If conscious, give the patient warm drinks (NOT alcohol)
7. Provide warmth to the person with hot water bottles or heat packs to the neck, armpits and groin - be careful to avoid burns
8. If hypothermia is severe, call Triple Zero and stay with the person until medical aid arrives

What is Frostbite?

Frostbite occurs when they skin and underlying tissues become frozen because of exposure to below-freezing (sub-zero) temperatures. It is a progressive injury that will become worse without treatment. There are threetypes of frostbite: frostnip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite.

If only the top layer of skin is frozen, it is usually called frostnip. The skin turns pale and rhe patient experiences numbness or tingling in the affected part.

With superficial frostbite, the full thickness of the skin that is frozen, resulting in skin that is white and waxy-looking, firm to touch (but the tissue underneath is soft), and painful at first, followed by numbness.

In deep frostbite, the skin and the tissues underneath are frozen - sometimes to the bone. Unlike superficial frostbite, the skin is no longer mobile in relation to the underlying tissue. The skin is white and waxy-looking, and could turn greyish-blue as the frostbite progresses. It is also cold, hard, and numb.

Frostnip and Superficial Frostbite Treatment

If someone is showing the signs of Superficial Frostbite like any other First Aid event you must follow the DRSABCD plan. You can refresh your memory of DRSABCD here.

Once you have applied DRSABCD you must follow these steps:

1. Move the person to a warm, dry place
2. Rewarm the frostbitten area with body heat by placing the area in yours or the patient's own armpit or warm hands
3. Prevent affected areas from freezing by ensuring that the person stops exposing themselves and the area to potential causes. This includes avoiding exposure to cold water or dressing inappropriately in cold weather

Deep Frostbite Treatment

If someone is displaying signs of Deep Frostbite you must follow the DRSABCD plan instantly.

1. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance
2. Move the patient to a warm, dry place. If the feet or legs are frozen, do not let the patient walk.
3. Gently remove the patient's clothing and jewellery from the affected limb. Handle the frozen area gently to avoid any further tissue damage.
4. Fill a large container with warm water and put the whole frozen limb in the water.
5. Keep adding warm water to maintain a constant temperature.
6. Keep the affected area in the water until it is pink. This can take up to 40 minutes and may be painful for the person
7. Keep the area raised and warm. Do not burst any blisters that form.

At the beginning of winter, people are often unprepared for the harsh weather conditions approaching. When leaving the house ensure you have taken all the preventative measures listed above to avoid falling susceptible to hypothermia or frostbite.