Preventing and treating hypothermia
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Hypothermia sets in when body temperature drops too far. Slow rewarming is crucial.
What to do
• Move the person to a warm, dry place
• Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry clothing
• Cover them with blankets, including the head and neck
• Give warm (not hot) drinks if the person is conscious
• Keep the person awake and provide warmth with body heat if needed
Do not do
• Do not rub the limbs vigorously — this moves cold blood towards the core
• Do not give alcohol
• Do not rewarm too fast with hot water bottles or a hot shower
Warning signs
• The person is confused, drowsy or unresponsive in the cold
• The person stops shivering despite continuing cold — a dangerous sign
Get help if
• The person is confused or unresponsive
• Temperature below 35°C
Why this matters
If someone stops shivering in the cold, that is a dangerous sign — the body is losing the fight. Rewarm immediately and call 112.
Source: WHO Cold Exposure Guidelines · reviewed 2025-01-01