How to treat mild hypothermia

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Self treatment for the earliest stage of hypothermia:

• put on more clothing
• take fluids, to combat dehydration
• eat, to help the body generate heat
• make someone else aware of the situation
• move large muscles to generate heat

Treating a victim of early hypothermia:

• get victim out of wind at once and head for shelter if it available
• remove any wet clothing
• bundle the victim up in warm clothing
• give food and water

If rewarming is not successful then try the following:

• put up a shelter and get the victim into a sleeping bag
• heat the interior of the tent with a stove and provide enough ventilation
• apply external heat with the use of hot water bottles, chemical hot packs, a hot shower or bath (if available but do not expose to hot water or chemical packs if you detect profound hypothermia)
• get into the sleeping bag with the victim and use your own body heat to warm the victim - remove as much clothing as possible from both people
• check carefully for frostbite, since circulation to the hands and feet may have been impaired