Tips: How to Prevent Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that happens when your body loses more heat than it produces, causing your temperature to drop below 95 °F (35 °C). Exposure to cold air or water are the most common causes of hypothermia, which is why it often afflicts unprepared campers, hikers or swimmers. See Step 1 to learn how to prevent hypothermia and recognize its early signs. 1. Staying Safe in Cold Weather a. Assess the situation before going out. Whether you're an adventurer planning a backpacking trip or you're just planning to spend a pleasant day outside, take time to look at the weather report and decide how to prepare for your time outdoors. Remember that there's a risk of getting hypothermia even in temperatures that seem relatively warm, since wind and wet weather can cause the body temperature to drop. b. Know how cold the temperature might get at night. If you're going to be spending the night outside, find out how c...