(AMA Guide) Signs of Hypothermia

Hypothermia can set in faster than you expect, especially for people who are outside or without heat for extended periods. Know what to look for — in yourself and in the people around you.

What to know

• Call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital immediately if you suspect hypothermia

• While waiting for help: move to a warm place, warm the center of the body first, cover with blankets including the head and neck

• In children: bright red, cold skin and very low energy

• Early symptoms: shivering, cold fingers and toes, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands

• Severe symptoms: slurred speech, clumsiness, drowsiness, memory loss

Details

Early signs of hypothermia include shivering, cold fingers and toes, exhaustion, confusion, and trouble using your hands. As it gets worse, look for slurred speech, clumsiness, drowsiness, and memory loss. In children, watch for bright red, cold skin and unusually low energy.

If you see these signs after exposure to the cold, call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital immediately. While you wait for help, get to a warm place, focus on warming the core of the body first, and wrap the person in blankets — covering the head and neck too.