US Army mountaineering techniques (basic)

The main sign of hypothermia is when the body core (rectal) temperature falls to about 96
degrees F. Other symptoms are: shivering, which begins after a drop in body temperature
of 1 to 2 degrees, making it hard for an individual to take care of himself; body
temperature drop from 95 degrees F to 90 degrees F, which can cause sluggish thinking in
general; body temperature drop from 90 degrees to 85 degrees F, which causes total
incoherence; and body temperature drop from 85 degrees F and below, which causes a
comatose state, and related signs.
To guard against hypothermia, you should pair up with a buddy to observe each other for
signs, consume adequate amounts of liquids daily, rest, and eat properly. You may avoid
hypothermia by dressing in layers to permit easy additions or deletions; to prevent
overheating, becoming too cold, getting wet or windblown.
Treatment of hypothermia depends upon whether the case is mild or severe.
Mild cases: If there are signs of hypothermia in a buddy, prevent additional heat loss by
getting the victim into a shelter, and replace wet clothing with dry, insulated clothing or a
sleeping bag. You should rewarm the body evenly and without delay. Rehydrate the
victim with warm liquids, sweets, and food, however, you must never force 1liquids on
an unconscious or semiconscious person because you might choke him. Keep the victim
conscious until his vital signs are normal, and seek medical assistance.
Severe cases: If the victim is unconscious or appears dead without any obvious injury,
prevent further heat loss. It is extremely dangerous to attempt to rewarm a victim in the
field, and rapid rewarming of an unconscious victim may create problems and should1d
not be attempted. It is best to stabilize the victim's temperature; to attempt to avoid
further heat loss; to handle the victim gently; to provide artificial respiration if breathing
stops; to be aware that severe complications may arise as the body temperature rises,
which may result in cardiac arrest even though the victim seems to be doing well; and
evacuate the victim immediately to the nearest medical treatment facility.
Immersion or Trench foot. This is damage to the circulatory and nervous systems of the
feet, which occurs from prolonged exposure to cold and wet at above freezing
temperatures. This can happen wearing boots or not. You may not feel uncomfortable
until the injury has already begun.
Contributing factors for immersion or trench foot are:
Stepping into water over the boot tops.