Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City Prehospital Basic Life Support Protocols Copyright January 1996 (8/96)

432 COLD-RELATED EMERGENCIES

Warm the environment or move the patient to a warmer environment.

Prevent further loss of body heat.

Do NOT allow the patient to smoke or drink either alcohol or caffeinated beverages.

For Special Considerations, see below.

Transport.

• Remove clothing from the affected area.
• Wrap the area in dry, bulky dressings.
• Do NOT rub the area or rupture blisters.

• Monitor the airway.
• Begin Basic Cardiac Life Support procedures, if appropriate. (See Protocol #403.)

  NOTE:

  VITAL SIGNS MAY BE SEVERELY DEPRESSED. ALLOW AT LEAST 15 SECONDS TO CHECK FOR A CARTOID PULSE. HYPOTHERMIC PATIENTS REMAIN VIABLE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. THEREFORE, CPR SHOULD BE INITIATED ON ALL PULSELESS AND APNEIC HYPOTHERMIC PATIENTS.

  
  
• Administer oxygen.
• Monitor breathing for adequacy.
• Gently remove any wet clothing.
• Wrap the patient in dry blankets

  NOTE:

  AVOID ROUGH HANDLING OF THE HYPOTHERMIC PATIENT SO AS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INDUCING CARDIAC ARREST.

  
  
• If the patient is conscious, has a gag reflex, and is able to drink without assistance, give warm liquids slowly by mouth.
• If the patient has an altered mental status, request Advanced Life Support assistance.

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