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HYPOTHERMIA <br /> Causes and Effects <br /> Systemic hypothermia (whole body cooling) is caused by exposure to freezing or rapidly <br /> dropping temperature. Several factors increase susceptibility to hypothermia including age (very <br /> young or old), smoking, alcoholic beverages, fatigue, and wet clothing. <br /> The signs and symptoms of hypothermia include: <br /> • shivering (uncontrollable or even violent) <br /> • dizziness <br /> • numbness <br /> • weakness <br /> • impaired judgment <br /> • impaired vision <br /> • drowsiness <br /> The signs and symptoms generally follow five stages: <br /> 1. Shivering <br /> 2. Apathy, listlessness, sleepiness <br /> 3. Loss of consciousness <br /> 4. Decreased pulse and breathing rate <br /> 5. Death <br /> Treatment <br /> • Move a victim of hypothermia to a warm environment as soon as possible. <br /> • Remove any wet clothing and redress with loose, dry clothes. <br /> • Warm, sweet drinks and soups should be provided for internal warming and caloric <br /> intake. <br /> Rough&Ready Island 18 Tetra Tech, Inc. <br /> Revised Draft HSP November 18, 1998 <br />