What are the warning signs of hypothermia?

On Behalf of | Mar 14, 2023 | Longshore And Harbor Workers |

Hypothermia can be a very dangerous condition. It is possible for people to recover, but this can also be a fatal condition, especially when it is not treated quickly.

Hypothermia happens when your body temperature plummets quickly and your body cannot produce enough heat to warm you back up. For example, this could happen to a worker on a ship who is exposed to severe weather or who falls overboard. That person may be rescued from the ice-cold water, but they could still deal with hypothermia and have a severe reaction that means they’re not out of danger just because they are back on the ship. That’s why it’s so important for people to know what signs and symptoms to watch out for so that proper treatment can be provided.

Take action when you see these symptoms

Once again, experts warn that this should be considered a medical emergency, especially if someone’s body temperature drops under 95°F. Some of the symptoms that they may experience include:

  • Feeling extremely tired or even exhausted
  • Shivering uncontrollably 
  • Having issues with their memory, such as short-term memory loss 
  • Having trouble speaking and slurring their words 
  • Fumbling with their hands and lacking dexterity 
  • Seeming very confused and disoriented when they speak

There are many steps that can be taken to counter hypothermia, which may be as simple as helping the person remove the wet clothing and giving them warm drinks. But the condition can also be very severe and may not be rectified through these methods, leading to the need for medical intervention. Those who have suffered from these types of issues while on the job also need to know about the legal options at their disposal.