Hypothermia in the Field: How to Survive When the Body Loses Heat

Cold, moisture and wind can drain even a trained body within minutes. Once the body runs low on energy and can no longer generate enough heat, hypothermia sets in – a condition that can become life-threatening even in mild weather. This article explains how to identify hypothermia early and respond correctly to truly help yourself or others.

What Is Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature – that is, the temperature of the chest and abdominal cavity – drops below 35 °C. At this point, the body can no longer compensate for heat loss, and vital processes begin to slow down.
Every organ reacts to the cooling, but the heart, brain, and circulatory system are the most vulnerable. Breathing slows, blood pressure drops, and oxygen delivery to vital organs decreases.

Hypothermia does not only develop in extreme conditions. It can result from the combined effects of cold, moisture, wind, and exhaustion – typical during long treks, field exercises, or night shifts outdoors.

A warm drink helps restore energy and slow down heat loss. Even a brief break sheltered from the wind can make all the difference in freezing conditions and help prevent hypothermia.

Causes of Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when exposure to cold combines with a reduced ability of the body to generate or retain heat.

Multiple factors often act together:

• cold, wind, and humidity
• fatigue, exhaustion, or prolonged inactivity
• insufficient or wet clothing
• hunger, dehydration, or mental stress
• consumption of alcohol or other substances

These factors accelerate heat loss, deplete energy reserves, and increase the risk of hypothermia even under seemingly harmless conditions.

Who Is Most at Risk

Hypothermia can affect anyone, but certain groups are especially vulnerable:

• small children and elderly people with less effective thermoregulation
• injured, ill, or exhausted individuals
• people under the influence of alcohol or medication that dulls the sensation of cold

A drop in body temperature can occur even outside winter conditions – wet clothing, wind, and fatigue can trigger hypothermia at air temperatures as high as 15 °C.

Recognising the Stages of Hypothermia and How to Respond

Essential Rules for Treating Hypothermia

? Handle the casualty slowly, gently, and with minimal movement. Sudden movements can push cold blood from the limbs back to the heart and trigger fibrillation.

? Do not give alcohol or caffeine – both increase heat loss and stress the circulatory system.

? Remember that an emergency foil blanket does not insulate from the ground – it only reflects body heat. Always use a sleeping mat or another insulating layer underneath.

? And the golden rule: treat every hypothermic person as potentially salvageable until they are warm and declared dead by a medical professional.

Preventing Hypothermia

? The best prevention combines proper clothing, nutrition, and planning.

? Wear multiple thin layers that insulate and wick moisture – ideally functional base layers, an insulating mid-layer (e.g. Tilak, UF PRO), and a waterproof outer shell.

? Always carry a foam pad or seat mat to prevent heat loss to the ground, and an emergency thermal blanket for emergencies.

? Pack a spare hat, gloves, socks, and a quick energy source such as sugar, chocolate, or a hot drink.

? Avoid alcohol, monitor the weather, and plan your route and pace according to terrain, gear, and fitness level.

Summary and Key Principles

Hypothermia is a silent enemy – it creeps in unnoticed, but without quick and correct action, it can be deadly.
In an emergency, simple actions make the difference:

Every minute you prevent further heat loss increases the chance of survival. And never assume it’s too late – even a severely hypothermic person can return to life.