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Cold & Freezing Life-saving
Hypothermia — Signs & First Aid
Cold kills quietly. Wet, wind, and exhaustion drop core temperature even above freezing.
What to do
- 1Early signs: shivering, fumbling hands, slurred speech, stumbling, confusion ('the umbles').
- 2Get the person out of wind and wet; replace wet clothes with dry layers.
- 3Insulate from the ground and wrap in blankets/sleeping bag; cover the head.
- 4Give warm sweet drinks ONLY if fully alert; no alcohol.
- 5Severe (no shivering, very confused, stiff): handle gently, warm the core, and get emergency help — this is life-threatening.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Rubbing the skin or limbs vigorously
- Giving alcohol
- Rapid rewarming of severe cases (can be dangerous)
Good to know
- Wet cotton in wind is a hypothermia trap — 'cotton kills'. Choose wool or synthetics.
Continue here — more Cold & Freezing