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Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it. A normal rectal body temperature ranges from 97.6 °F (36.4 °C) to 99.6 °F (37.6 °C) and for most people is 98.6 °F (37 °C) by mouth and 99.6 °F (37.6 °C) rectally. Hypothermia is more likely to occur when you are exposed to cold air, water, wind, or rain. Hypothermia can occur indoors, especially in babies and older or ill adults that are not dressed warmly enough.
A rectal temperature is considered the most accurate body temperature. For information on how to take an accurate temperature, see the topic Body Temperature.
Hypothermia is an emergency condition and can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death. Hypothermia can occur at temperatures of 50 °F (10 °C) or higher in wet and windy weather, or if you are in 60 °F (16 °C) to 70 °F (21 °C) water.
 Mild hypothermia: Rectal temperatures between 90 °F (32 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C)
Moderate hypothermia: Rectal temperatures between 82 °F (28 °C) and 90 °F (32 °C)
Severe hypothermia: Rectal temperatures below 82 °F (28 °C)
To help remember the signs of hypothermia, learn the "umbles" phrase which is "stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles". These words describe changes in a person's physical coordination and mental alertness that may be the first signs of hypothermia.
Shivering.
Cold, pale, or blue-gray skin.
Lack of interest or concern (apathy).
Poor judgment.
Mild unsteadiness in balance or walking.
Slurred speech.
Numb hands and fingers and difficulty performing tasks.
The trunk of the body is cold to the touch.
Muscles become stiff.
Slow pulse.
Breathing is shallow and slower.
Weakness or sleepiness.
Confusion.
Loss of consciousness.
Shivering may stop if body temperature drops below 90 °F(32 °C).
Seek immediate medical attention for anyone who appears to have hypothermia. Until medical help is available, follow these guidelines for caring for someone with hypothermia.
Move the person out of the cold. Preventing additional heat loss is crucial. If you're unable to
 move the person out of the cold, shield the person from the cold and wind as best you can.
Remove wet clothing. If the person is wearing wet clothing, remove it and replace it with a
dry covering. Cover the person's head. Try not to move the person too much. Cut away clothing
if you need to.
Insulate the person's body from the cold ground. Lay the person faceup on a blanket or other
warm surface.
Monitor breathing. A person with severe hypothermia may appear unconscious, with no apparent
signs of a pulse or breathing. If the person's breathing has stopped or appears dangerously low
or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately if you're trained.
Share body heat. To warm the person's body, remove your clothing and lie next to the person,
making skin-to-skin contact. Then cover both bodies with a blanket.
Provide warm beverages. If the affected person is alert and is able to swallow, have the person
drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage to help warm the body.
Don't apply direct heat. Don't use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the victim.
Instead, apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall and groin. Don't attempt to warm the
arms and legs. Heat applied to the arms and legs forces cold blood back toward the heart, lungs
and brain, causing the core body temperature to drop. This can be fatal.
Don't massage or rub the person. Handle people with hypothermia gently because they're at risk
of cardiac arrest.
Don't provide alcoholic beverages. Alcohol lowers the body's ability to retain heat.
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