First Aid Treatment For Hypothermia, Frostbite and Frostnip
Severe Hypothermia - Body temperature below 32o Celsius
Mild Hypothermia - Body temperature below 34o Celsius
Important Information
• A person suffering from severe hypothermia may be disoriented, confused, uncoordinated or completely unresponsive
• A person suffering from mild hypothermia may be conscious and alert, yet shivering and displaying slightly impaired coordination
• Treat hypothermia that alters a patient's consciousness or impairs their coordination as a medical emergency; Follow primary care procedures
• A severely hypothermic patient may be breathing or have a pulse at such a low rate and intensity that it is difficult to detect; Therefore, resuscitation attempts should never be abandoned until the patient has been rewarmed
Patient Care for Severe Hypothermia
STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Has the patient been exposed to a cold environment?
THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan; Is there a warm, dry area nearby?
ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
Perform a primary and secondary assessment and monitor the patient's Cycle of Care - AB-CABS
Do not move the patient unless it's necessary to prevent further heat loss; Handling may cause an irregular heartbeat
Remove wet clothing without jostling the patient and cover them with warm blankets or thick clothing
Continue to monitor the patient's Cycle of Care until EMS arrives; Monitor and record vital signs
Patient Care for Mild Hypothermia
Move the patient to a warm, dry sheltered area and wrap them in warm blankets or clothes
If they are wet provide them with dry clothing
Give warm, nonalcoholic, non caffeinated drinks
Continue to support the patient until completely rewarmed; Monitor and record vital signs
Patient Care for Frostbite
Important Information
• Frostbite occurs when an area of the body freezes and ice crystals form within the cells
• Frostnip is the first stage that affects the surface of the skin, which becomes red, painful and may itch
• Superficial frostbite affects the skin layers, but not the soft tissue below; The skin becomes hard and white
• Deep frostbite affects the entire tissue layers including the muscles, tendons, blood vessels and nerves; The area may be white, deep purple or red with blisters and feel hard and woody
• Treat frostbite as a medical emergency; Follow primary and secondary care procedures
STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Has the patient been exposed to a cold environment?
THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan; Is there a warm dry area nearby?
ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
Perform a primary and secondary assessment and monitor the patient's Cycle of Care - AB-CABS
Move the patient to a warm and dry sheltered area; Remove any constricting items such as jewellery
Begin to warm the affected areas with your body heat or by immersing in warm (not hot) water; The rescuer should check the water to make sure it's only warm and do the warming slowly
Do not massage or rub frostbitten areas; Note that rewarming may be very painful
Continue to monitor the patient's Cycle of Care until EMS arrives
First Aid Advice & Information for Hypothermia and Frostbite is for guidance only - Click Here to get CPR & First Aid Training