Originally Posted By: dweste
Originally Posted By: PureSurvival
Hypothermia is so difficult to spot in oneself or even recognize in others.


Which is why a kit to deploy when you do recognize or spot it seems like a good idea.


I am confused by 'carry a kit'. It is standard amongst those going into the wild to wear clothing to keep you comfortable whilst on the move and carry kit that will protect them in the worst weather you are likely to encounter.

A person has a duty of care to themselves to be correctly equip themselves for the conditions. And, it makes far more sense to avoid environmental injuries than to try and treat them.

Despite what has been said, it is hard to recognize hypothermia in oneself and difficult to recognize it in others. The fact is if one of your group is showing signs of hypothermia others in your group including yourself will have some degree of hypothermia too.

Knowing the signs of hypothermia from a book and actually recognizing hypothermia in a person are two separate things. As with most things, experience is key. The more you go out in all weathers and experience its effect the better you will recognise it. But, there have been many very experienced people with the correct equipment that have succumbed to hypothermia. Look at the data collected by search and rescue organisations, hospitals, coroner reports and military reports to see this is the case.

If one of your group shows any of the above signs suspect hypothermia, stop, assess the problem, look for or construct shelter. If one person has hypothermia assume that others in you group are in the same condition. Arrange evacuation as soon as possible. Do not try to self extract, you are likely to send the victims heart into ventricular fibrillation.

Mild Hypothermia

• Get victims into shelter and out of wet clothing and into dry warm clothing
• If no shelter is available do not remove wet clothing but put warm insulating layers over wet clothing
• Add windproof/waterproof layers over insulating layers
• Insulate the victim from the ground with a kip mat, clothing or rucksack
• Get group together in a huddle to share heat if possible inside Bothy bag or tent fly sheet
• If conscious and able to swallow without difficulty give warm sweet drinks and sweet easy to digest food such as sweets, chocolate or sugar. Mix equal quantities of milk powder and sugar with water into a thick liquid paste.

Moderate or Severe Hypothermia

• Keep the victim still and laid down horizontally. Do not move unless really necessary as this may cause the heart to go into ventricular fibrillation, if you need to move them use a spinal lift or immobilise them to a back board
• Is semi or unconscious place in the recovery position
• If breathing very shallow give gentle assisted breathing
• If no breathing or signs of life give gentle rescue breaths via mouth to mouth, you breath will help to warm the victims lungs do not use a handheld resuscitator, do not give chest compressions you may send the heart into ventricular fibrillation.
• Place hot water bottles and or heat pads against arm pits, upper abdomen, neck and groin. Don’t place next to the skin to stop burns.
• Lightly cover nose and mouth so expelled breath warms and moisturises air as it is breathed in.
• Carefully warm shelter with stove but be mindful of carbon dioxide poisoning, make sure you have adequate ventilation

If unconscious or no signs of life

Check for breathing for one minute
If very shallow faint breathing give gentle assisted breathing
If no signs of breathing give gentle rescue breaths but do not give chest compressions
If chest compressions are given they must not be stopped until victim is re-warmed and in medical care.

Its good to carry spear clothing, sleeping bag, blizzard survival bag and a bothy bag big enough to cover everyone in your party.

Part of this post is from a post I made on another forum http://www.wildsurvive.com/outdoor-camping-forum/index.php/topic,4965.msg212645.html#new