Survival Zone

10 Things You Need To Know
Survival Zone »

Out in the Cold? Avoiding Hypothermia

More: Page 1 | Page 2 |

NO MASSAGES, PLEASE

If you're lucky enough to be with someone when your body starts shutting down, what should they do to save you? First, they should call 911. You're going to need medical help. They also should get you into shelter, if possible. If they can't get you indoors, they at least should move you out of the wind. Wherever you are, they should wrap you, including your head, in blankets, towels or even newspapers. Ideally, they should put hot water bottles under your armpits and between your legs, making sure that they don't put anything on bare skin. Finally, they should keep you flat and move you as little as possible. Movement could cause a severely hypothermic person to have a heart attack.

A few things they shouldn't do. They shouldn't rub or massage you. That could cause more damage if you also have frostbite. They shouldn't get you anything to eat. And they shouldn't give you anything to drink, especially alcohol, no matter how much you think that's just what you need.