Hypothermia and frostbite: warning signs and first aid
Cold doesn't need snow to be dangerous. CDC says hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures, above 40°F, if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat or cold water. That makes a wet spring hike or a rainy campsite riskier than many people expect.
Warning signs of hypothermia (CDC)
| Adults | Babies |
|---|---|
| Shivering; exhaustion or feeling very tired; confusion; fumbling hands; memory loss; slurred speech; drowsiness | Bright red, cold skin; very low energy |
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you notice these signs, take the person's temperature; if it's below 95°F, get medical attention immediately.
First aid for hypothermia (CDC)
- Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
- Remove any wet clothing.
- Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head and groin) with an electric blanket if available, or skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers.
- Warm drinks can help, but no alcohol, and nothing by mouth for an unconscious person.
- If needed, perform CPR, even if the person appears dead.
Frostbite (CDC)
Redness or pain in exposed skin can be the start: get out of the cold or protect the skin. Signs include a white or grayish-yellow area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness. Because the area is numb, people often don't notice until someone else points it out. Check for hypothermia too; it's the more serious condition.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Put affected areas in warm, not hot, water (comfortable to touch for unaffected skin) | Rub the area with snow, or massage it at all |
| If there's no warm water, use body heat, such as an armpit for fingers | Use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace or radiator; numb skin burns easily |
| Have frostbite checked by a health care provider | Walk on frostbitten feet or toes unless absolutely necessary |
Staying warm at camp and at home (our suggestions)
- Stay dry first: rain shell, and change out of sweaty layers before you stop moving.
- Pack a dry set of clothes in a waterproof bag.
- Insulate from the ground with a sleeping pad.
- Never bring a stove or heater into a tent or closed room for warmth; see carbon monoxide at camp.
Everyday
Dress in layers you can adjust, carry dry spare clothes on hikes, and change out of wet clothes quickly at camp.
When it counts
In a winter outage or a cold, wet night outside, you spot the early signs and warm someone the right way.
Sources and when we checked them
- CDC, Preventing Hypothermia (Winter Weather) (checked 2026-10-31)
- CDC, Preventing Frostbite (Winter Weather) (checked 2026-10-31)
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