We've all heard about bushwalkers affected by hypothermia some have lived to tel the tell, where sadly other haven't.
Knowing what it is and how it affects the mind and body will help you identify signs of it early.
Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing the core body temperature to drop below 35 °C (95 °F).
In wilderness environments—such as cold mountains, wet forests, or windy coastal areas—it can develop quickly and become life-threatening if not treated.
When a person is exposed to cold temperatures, the body first tries to maintain warmth by shivering, which generates heat through muscle activity. Blood vessels in the skin also constrict (vasoconstriction) to reduce heat loss and keep warm blood around vital organs.
As hypothermia progresses, these protective responses start to fail. Early symptoms include intense shivering, numbness, fatigue, and poor coordination. A person may stumble, drop equipment, or struggle to perform simple tasks.
As the body temperature continues to fall, the brain becomes affected. This leads to confusion, slowed thinking, poor decision-making, and slurred speech.
In wilderness situations, this is particularly dangerous because a person may stop trying to stay warm or fail to seek shelter. In severe hypothermia, shivering may stop completely, the heart rate and breathing slow, and the person may lose consciousness.
Without treatment, hypothermia can lead to organ failure and death.
Several factors increase the risk in the wilderness. Wind, rain, wet clothing, exhaustion, dehydration, and inadequate food all accelerate heat loss.
Even temperatures above freezing can cause hypothermia if a person becomes wet and exposed to wind.
Prevention
- Preventing hypothermia in the wilderness involves preparation and good survival habits.
- People should wear layered clothing, including insulating layers and waterproof outer shells.
- Staying dry is critical, since wet clothing removes body heat much faster.
- Eating high-energy food and drinking enough water helps the body produce heat.
- Taking breaks out of strong wind, building shelter, and carrying emergency gear like a thermal blanket or fire-starting tools are also important.
Recognising early symptoms and acting quickly—by adding layers, getting into shelter, and warming the body — can prevent hypothermia from becoming fatal.