Organ systems, especially the cardiovascular and
neurologic, become exceedingly fragile. The risk
for life-threatening ARRHYTHMIA (irregular heart
beat) and especially VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION is
already high because of the body’s altered meta-
bolic and biochemical state; jostling the person
during movement can rapidly destabilize the HEART
and cardiovascular function. Severe hypothermia
significantly slows neurologic function, causing
UNCONSCIOUSNESS. The pupils are often fixed (non-
responsive to light). CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITA-
TION (CPR) is necessary if the person is not
BREATHINGand has no PULSE. As with COLD WATER
DROWNING, aggressive resuscitation efforts may
revive someone who has had very low body tem-
perature for an extended time.
See also FROSTBITE; HEAT EXHAUSTION; HEAT STROKE;
RAYNAUD’S SYNDROME; SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENT.376 Emergency and First Aid