Hypothermia

Hypothermia is the effect of heat loss from the body. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature is lowered to less than 35°C and affects your brain, heart and other internal organs.

While your body begins to cool as soon as you enter the water the full effect of hypothermia can take around 30 minutes.

Some of the effects of hypothermia are a reduction of blood flow to the hands, feet and surface of the body, intense shivering in the early stages as the body tries to maintain its core temperature and no shivering in the later stages.

To reduce the risk of hypothermia wear warm, preferably woollen, clothing under wet weather gear.

Various techniques have been developed to prolong survival time, including:

HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) – limit body heat loss by holding your arms down to your sides and up across your chest, and raising your knees and holding them together.
Huddle – by huddling close together with other people, so that your chest and arms are protected, you can reduce the rate at which your body loses heat and increase survival time by up to 50 percent. This is the most effective method of reducing the onset of hypothermia if there is a group in the water.

The key to avoiding cold water immersion and hypothermia is to stay out of the water. Keep the vessel’s deck and other areas free of slipping and tripping hazards.

If you do fall in remember, don’t inhale water, don’t panic, keep as much of your body out of the water and wear a lifejacket – it can be the difference in a survival situation.

Treating hypothermia

Hypothermia can be mistaken for drowsiness. There are, however, some signs and symptoms which will allow you to make an immediate evaluation:

Adults: cold to touch; pulse slow, weak or imperceptible; breathing slow and shallow.
Children: cold to touch; quiet and lacking appetite.

To treat hypothermia you must act quickly but gently. Never give the patient alcohol or an unwrapped hot-water bottle. The best method of treatment is to allow the patient to warm naturally where possible and you should:

Remove all wet clothing when warm, dry clothing or blankets are available.
Allow the patient to warm gradually with the aid of warm towels and blankets or gentle sources of warmth, including body heat.
Transport the victim to medical aid without delay. Their survival could depend on it.
Keep an aluminium “space blanket” on board.