Hypothermia: warning signs in the field
Know the signs, and get help early.
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Warning signs
The CDC lists shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness as warning signs of hypothermia in adults.
Not only in deep cold
The CDC says hypothermia can occur at cool temperatures, above 40°F, if a person is wet from rain, sweat, or cold water and becomes chilled.
Shivering is a signal
The CDC says shivering is an early sign that your body is losing heat, and constant shivering means you need to find shelter and get warm.
Get help
The CDC says that if a person's temperature is below 95°F, get medical attention immediately. IHEA-USA hunter education says to remove the person from cold, windy, and wet conditions and to re-warm gradually. Call 911 in an emergency.
FAQ
General information only. Hunting laws, seasons, licenses, and hunter orange rules are set by each state; check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before you hunt, and take the hunter education course your state offers. If you hunt from a tree stand, wear a full-body fall arrest harness system every time you leave the ground, including while climbing up and down, follow the Treestand Manufacturers Association's Treestand Safety Guidelines and the maker's instructions, and have a plan for rescue. Tell someone where you will be and when you will return. In an emergency, call 911.
Next: layering
Loose layers. Stay dry.
