A man helps another man out of the cold water
Photo: iStockphoto
Adapted from Healthlink BC by Nila Gopaul
Level 2
May/June 2012
Normal body temperature in adults
is 34.4 °C to 37.8 °C.
People can get hypothermia
when the inside of the body drops below 35 °C.
If not treated, hypothermia can lead to death.
Read the PDF. Try the exercise.
Here are some ways you can treat mild* hypothermia:
Get the person indoors.
Call 8-1-1*, press 2 to speak with a nurse.
Remove wet clothing, and dry the person off.
Warm the person’s trunk first, not the hands and feet.**
Cover the person with a blanket, or put dry clothing on the person.
Do not put the person into warm water.***
Wrap a hot water bottle in a cloth.
Do not put the bottle directly on the skin.
Illustrations by: Nola Johnston
*Mild hypothermia: body temperature is 32 to 35 °C;
home treatment of mild hypothermia may be enough
to bring body temperature back up to normal.
** Warming hands and feet first can cause shock.
*** Rapid warming can cause heart problems.
*Call 8-1-1 from anywhere in British Columbia
to speak with a nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.