Hypothermia

Hypothermia is defined as the core temp being below 35 (rectal or oesophageal).

Causes:

• Decreased oxygen consumption
• slowed depolarisation of nerve cells in the PNS and muscles in the heart
• Increase in RBC count (haemoconcentration)
• Pancreatitis.
  

S+S:
Mild: weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, confusion, impaired coordination
Moderate: Delirious, drowsy, comatose, no apparant respiration or BP, and general failure of metabolic processes causing hyperkalaemia (high potassium in the blood), ventricular fibulation (waked out heart beat)
Severe: asystole (stopping of the heart's electric activity) causing death.

treatment:
change into warm clothes, heat up! warm area, waterproof clothing etc. Don't give alcohol cigarettes tea or coffee. Don't try and stimulate peripheral circulation.