In severe cold, one runs the risk of becoming hypothermic. This can happen high in the mountains, but also in winter after a night out. It is important to prevent hypothermia. Read the tips below to avoid becoming hypothermic. Are you still getting hypothermia? Also read what you should do in case of hypothermia.

What is hypothermia

Hypothermia – also called hypothermia – is a human body condition in which the central body temperature drops so much that it is in danger of life. The metabolism is severely affected by the low temperatures and as a result the vital functions of the body no longer work. In healthy people, the body temperature varies between 37.5 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius, with 35 degrees Celsius already being very low. Hypothermia starts when the body temperature drops further than 35 degrees Celsius. At 32 degrees Celsius we say that the person’s situation becomes critical. Even lower temperatures are life-threatening. Temperatures lower than 27 degrees Celsius will almost always result in the death of the person. However, this varies from person to person. There are also people who survive even lower temperatures.However, hypothermia does not always have disadvantages. When blood circulation stops, the brain is the first to suffer. The brain dies if it has not had oxygen for a few minutes. However, this is considerably longer at a cold body temperature.

Types of hypothermia

Broadly speaking, we can name two types of hypothermia, namely acute and chronic hypothermia. Acute hypothermia is hypothermia is the most dangerous type. In acute hypothermia, the person’s body temperature drops very quickly. This is, for example, the case if the person falls through the ice. We speak of chronic hypothermia when the hypothermia slowly sets in. If one swims in very cold water, this is still possible at first. At some point, however, the body will become too cold to generate enough energy to swim. The vital life functions are at risk and they first receive energy and heat.

Symptoms of hypothermia

There are various symptoms of hypothermia, but not all of them clearly indicate hypothermia. The only reliable indicator of hypothermia is the low core body temperature. Chills, drowsiness, slow breathing and heart rate, and pale skin are usually indicators of hypothermia. With a measurement in the ear, the temperature can be determined fairly quickly and reliably.Severe hypothermia can be recognized by the fact that the person does little or nothing anymore. The victim no longer trembles or shivers, which he normally does with mild hypothermia.

What to do in case of hypothermia?

If a person may be suffering from hypothermia, it is very important to take the appropriate actions. The important thing is that the person loses more heat than he already did. After all, the body temperature should not drop further, but should rise again as quickly as possible. You can only take passive measures to break the hypothermia. After all, it is the body itself that must produce sufficient energy to warm up. However, the warmer the person in question is dressed, the less energy is needed to warm up and the faster it goes. It is therefore the care provider’s job to remove the person’s cold clothing as quickly as possible and dress him warmly. It is important that help can only be provided in the case of mild hypothermia; In case of severe hypothermia, professional help is needed.The help that can be provided is to initially remove the victim’s cold/wet clothing. If possible, move the person to a warm area. However, make sure that he has to do as little as possible, because this only costs more energy. This means that people with severe hypothermia should not take off cold/wet clothing, as this leads to extra movement and can be fatal. Then wrap the person in blankets. The most ideal are insulating blankets, but other blankets are also good. At least two blankets should be wrapped around the person. The head should be wrapped best, because this is where heat loss is greatest. Also keep the person out of the wind.It is very important not to actively warm the person. So do not place the victim in the shower or bath, as the sudden heat difference may cause the person to become unconscious. Active heating can also damage the skin, because the body cannot properly absorb the heat stimuli. This easily leads to burns.

How do I prevent hypothermia?

Hypothermia due to water is quite difficult to prevent, because no matter how many layers of clothing you wear, water can easily get through. It is therefore important to listen carefully to your body before entering the water. Feel the water for a moment and if it feels really cold, it is not wise to go into it with the whole body.For example, if you are going for a walk in the mountains or cycling in the winter, it is wise to wear well-insulating clothing. This prevents the heat from escaping the body. Avoid wet clothing as much as possible.