The heart rate is slow and the victim is often drowsy and confused. In severe hypothermia, breathing becomes slow and shallow, the muscles are often stiff, the victim may become unconscious, and the heart beats only faintly and irregularly, or may stop beating altogether. The skin appears white, cold, and hard, and then becomes red and swollen and may blister. After the tissue has thawed, blisters form and some areas of skin are black, indicating that the tissue is dead. First Aid for Hypothermia Hypothermia is a medical emergency and anyone suffering from it requires immediate medical attention.
Treatment varies according to the age of the victim.
A young person is usually warmed in a hot bath. However, this causes a rush of blood to the surface of the body, reducing the supply to the heart and brain, which could be fatal to an elderly person. For this reason, warming is carried out gradually in the elderly by placing the person in a room with a temperature of 78 degrees F and covering him or her with layers of blankets. DO NOT let the victim walk. DO NOT warm the victim by rubbing his or her skin or by applying direct heat.