management of hypothermia
Last reviewed 01/2018
Principles include:
- early recognition
- concentrate on restoring normothermia
- cold heart irritable; move patient gently, avoid unnecessary manipulation or procedures
- severely hypothermic heart may be unresponsive to drugs, pacing or defibrillation
Keep going: "They're not dead until they're warm in bed"
- minimise further heat loss
- remove wet garments
- use blankets
- use warm rescuer to lie next to victim
- warm humidified oxygen
- transport cautiously and gently