What should you do for a victim with severe hypothermia?

For a victim with severe hypothermia, the appropriate action is to check for responsiveness and breathing and call 9-1-1. Severe hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. When you check for responsiveness and breathing, you are assessing the victim’s condition to determine the need for emergency services. This is critical because severe hypothermia can lead to complications such as cardiac arrest.

Calling 9-1-1 ensures that professional medical help will arrive as soon as possible, as hypothermia can impair bodily functions and may require advanced clinical interventions that can only be performed by trained medical personnel.

While warm beverages may seem beneficial in mild cases of hypothermia, they are not appropriate in severe cases as they can cause further complications such as rewarming shock. Administering CPR would only be necessary if the victim is unresponsive and not breathing. Leaving a person exposed to cold air would further exacerbate their condition and is contrary to the first aid principles for treating hypothermia. Therefore, ensuring that emergency services are notified and providing a proper initial assessment is key in managing severe hypothermia effectively.