How To Treat Hypothermia While Out on the Water

Hypothermia is potentially fatal when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). It is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and is most common in cold weather conditions. When your body’s core temperature drops, it can cause changes in the way your heart, brain, and other organs work as they become deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

The risk of developing hypothermia increases as the temperature drops. If you have poor circulation, a weakened immune system, or are elderly, you may be at higher risk for developing hypothermia. Additionally, those who spend extended periods out on the water, such as kayakers, canoeists, and fishermen, are at a higher risk due to their prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

Different Stages of Hypothermia

Hypothermia has three stages:

Mild hypothermia: This is the earliest stage and occurs when your body’s core temperature drops below 94°F (34°C). You may experience confusion, sleepiness, shivering, or slowed breathing at this stage.

Moderate hypothermia:  This occurs when your body temperature drops below 86°F (30°C) and occurs along with mental confusion and slurred speech.

Severe hypothermia: It is the most serious stage and occurs when your body temperature drops below 82°F (28°C). At this stage, you could suffer from severe mental disorientation, loss of consciousness, coma, or even death if not treated immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothermia

The signs and symptoms of hypothermia vary depending on the degree of hypothermia present in the person.

• In mild cases of hypothermia, you may experience shivering, fatigue, confusion or sleepiness, numbness in hands and feet, slurred speech, slowed breathing, or an irregular heartbeat.
• In moderate cases of hypothermia, you may experience extreme shivering, difficulty speaking or understanding simple commands, mental confusion or disorientation, pale skin coloration or clumsiness, or lack of coordination.
• In severe cases, you may experience shallow breathing, no breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness due to confusion or disorientation, coma, or even death if not treated immediately.

Emergency Procedures for Treating Hypothermia

If you suspect someone has hypothermia, it is important to take immediate action to help with their recovery. You should call for emergency medical assistance immediately while providing patient care until professional help arrives. If professional medical help is unavailable, move them to a warm environment as soon as possible while shielding them from cold elements, such as wind gusts or rain droplets. Once indoors, remove any wet clothing they may have been wearing to prevent further heat loss and layer them in blankets or sheets to create insulation which will help them regain warmth more quickly.

If you have access to an emergency sleeping bag, use it to cover them to further speed up the warming process. It will keep them insulated from outside elements and provide internal warmth due to its material composition. You can also warm their extremities by placing warm towels on their hands and feet or placing their feet directly into a basin of warm water if possible but not exceeding 104°F (40°C). For people suffering from severe hypothermia, you should use passive rewarming techniques rather than actively trying to increase their body temperature. If done incorrectly, this can put additional strain on their organs and lead to greater health complications such as cardiac arrest.

Self-Prevention Tips

When spending extended amounts of time outdoors, it is important to be prepared for any unexpected scenarios, such as the onset of hypothermia that could arise. Here are some self-prevention tips for avoiding hypothermia out on the water.

• Be sure to dress appropriately for whatever activity you are doing out on the water, whether it be fishing, kayaking, or just taking a sightseeing tour on a boat
• Layering clothing items such as thermal underwear, wool sweaters, and jackets will provide adequate insulation against outside temperatures and keep your body warm throughout the day, no matter what unexpected conditions may arise
• Drinking plenty of fluids will help fuel your body’s metabolism and enable it to generate more heat even when temperatures drop low, so always bring enough drinking water along on your outdoor excursions
• If possible, use a thermometer to check your core temperature periodically throughout extended outdoor activities so that any signs of impending hypothermia can be treated immediately before they become more serious problems later down the line
• Cold weather conditions reduce air temperatures and increase moisture levels, such as the wind chill factor, which can cause additional heat loss through contact with exposed skin, so try to remain sheltered indoors if possible when temperatures start dropping too low
• If you find yourself stranded out on the water due to inclement weather, find a safe spot to hunker down until conditions improve again before attempting any further activity
• Alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing hypothermia since it can reduce your body’s ability to generate enough heat even at normal temperatures
• Maintaining proper nutrition is essential for keeping your body fueled during any type of physical activity, so make sure you eat regularly, even when out in cold weather conditions

Special Considerations When Treating Hypothermia

Move someone suffering from mild hypothermia into a warm room right away while removing any wet clothing they may have been wearing prior, then wrap them up in sheets or blankets. After which, provide them with hot drinks that will not exceed 104°F (40°C) while monitoring their progress until professional medical help arrives on the scene.

Move someone suffering from moderate hypothermia indoors right away while removing any wet clothing they may have been wearing prior, then wrap them up in sheets, blankets, or an emergency sleeping bag. After which, provide them with hot drinks that will not exceed 104°F (40°C) while elevating their legs above heart level if possible until professional medical help arrives on the scene.

Move someone suffering from severe hypothermia carefully indoors right away while removing any wet clothing they may have been wearing prior, then wrap them up in blankets. After which, provide them with lukewarm drinks that will not exceed 104°F (40°C) while avoiding active rewarming techniques, such as providing direct external heat sources, until professional medical help arrives on the scene.