2. What are the first signs of hypothermia?
Sometimes it is hard to tell if a person has hypothermia. People around you may see clues, just like Bob’s son did. He paid attention. He saw the house was very cold and his dad was wearing a light shirt. He noticed his dad speaking slower than normal and having trouble keeping his balance.
Bob could not see the signs of hypothermia in himself because his lower body temperature was making him confused.
Hypothermia happens by mistake. Talk to your family and friends about the warning signs so they can look out for you, too.
| Warning signs to look for |
|
 Early signs of hypothermia
- Cold feet and hands
- Puffy or swollen face
- Pale skin
- Shivering (in some cases the person with hypothermia does not shiver)
- Slower than normal speech or slurring words
- Acting sleepy
- Being angry or confused
Later signs of hypothermia
- Moving slowly, trouble walking, or being clumsy
- Stiff and jerky arm or leg movements
- Slow heartbeat that is not regular
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Blacking out or losing consciousness
Call 911 right away if you think someone has warning signs of hypothermia. |
What can family and friends do until medical help arrives?
- Call 911.
- Wrap the person in a warm blanket.
- Do not rub the person’s legs or arms.
- Do not try to warm the person in a bath, and do not use a heating pad.
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