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Hypothermia Management in the Wilderness

See Also
1. Hypothermia
2. Hypothermia Management
Methods of rewarming in wilderness
1. General
  1. Move the patient to warm, dry environment
  2. Remove wet clothing
  3. Avoid excessive movement (risk of arrhythmia)
2. Passive external rewarming
  1. Warm dry blanket
  2. Hot water bottle
  3. Wrapped hot rocks
3. Active external rewarming
  1. Radiant heat source
  2. Heat pads
  3. Immersion
4. Active core rewarming
  1. Heated airway inhalation
  2. Heated IV fluids
  3. Gastrointestinal irrigation
  4. Peritoneal dialysis
  5. Extracorporeal rewarming
  6. Diathermy
5. Warm next to another body
Management: Wilderness
1. Mild Hypothermia
  1. Prevent further heat loss
  2. Remove wet clothing
  3. Move to warm environment
  4. Oral rehydration
2. Severe Hypothermia
  1. Evacuation
  2. Gentle handling
  3. ABC Management and Cardiac monitor
Prevention: Wilderness
1. Plan the activity
2. Appropriate clothing
  1. Dress in layers
  2. Wear hat and gloves
3. Appropriate Food and Fluids
  1. Drink fluids
  2. Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
  3. Adequate diet

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 6/1/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.