Hypothermia is the real danger on a winter hike or in a cold snap. The NHS defines hypothermia as a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C (normal is around 37C). It is a medical emergency that needs hospital treatment, and the NHS says to go to A&E or call 999 if you think someone has it. While you wait, move them indoors, remove wet clothing and wrap them in a blanket, covering their head. Don’t use a hot bath, rub their limbs, or give alcohol. This sets out the NHS page “Hypothermia”.
1. Below 35C is hypothermia, a medical emergency. Go to A&E or call 999.
2. Get them indoors, remove wet clothes, wrap them up including the head. If fully awake, a warm non-alcoholic drink and something sugary.
3. No hot bath, hot water bottle or heat lamp; no rubbing; no alcohol.
Symptoms — NHS
| Who | Symptoms (NHS) | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | Shivering | — |
| Adults | Pale, cold, dry skin; skin and lips may turn blue or grey | On darker skin, check palms and soles |
| Adults | Slurred speech; slow breathing | — |
| Adults | Tiredness or confusion | — |
| Babies | Cold to the touch, floppy, unusually quiet and sleepy, refusing to feed | — |
The page doesn’t split symptoms into early and severe.
While you wait for help — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Move them indoors or somewhere sheltered as quickly as possible | — |
| Do | Remove wet clothing and wrap them in a blanket, sleeping bag or dry towel, covering the head | — |
| Do | If fully awake, a warm non-alcoholic drink and sugary food such as chocolate | Read as: nothing by mouth if not fully awake |
| Do | Keep them awake by talking to them; stay with them until help arrives | — |
| Don’t | Use a hot bath, hot water bottle or heat lamp | Don’t warm them fast |
| Don’t | Rub their arms, legs, feet or hands | — |
| Don’t | Give them alcohol | — |
The page doesn’t give a reason for not warming quickly, so that is marked as our reading. Korean emergency numbers and procedures are outside the page we read.
When to get help — NHS
The NHS says to go to A&E or call 999 if you think you or your child has hypothermia. Don’t drive yourself: ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance, and bring any medicines you take. The page doesn’t mention NHS 111.
Who is at risk — NHS
- Older people living alone are particularly at risk.
- Anyone not wearing enough clothing in cold weather, or staying out in the cold too long
- Anyone who falls into cold water or has wet clothes
- Anyone living in a cold house
The page has no separate prevention section. Turning the risk list around gives: dress warmly, limit time in the cold, change out of wet clothes and keep the home warm (our reading). Indoor temperature guidance is in 18C indoors in winter, and Korean cold-illness figures in cold-related illness.
Checklist
- ☐ Shivering, slurred speech or confusion: suspect hypothermia
- ☐ A&E or an ambulance; don’t drive yourself
- ☐ Indoors, wet clothes off, wrapped up including the head
- ☐ No hot bath, no rubbing, no alcohol
- ☐ Check on older people living alone in winter
Questions that remain
What reading on a home thermometer is an emergency?
The NHS definition is below 35C. But the page doesn’t tell you to measure first; if you suspect it, go to A&E or call an ambulance.
Is it the same as frostbite?
Frostbite is when part of the body freezes, and has its own advice — see frostbite.
Sources
- NHS — Hypothermia — source (page shows: reviewed 9 June 2023, next review 9 June 2026; checked 13 October 2026 — the review date has passed and we quote the page as shown). 35C definition, adult and baby symptoms, 5 dos and 3 don’ts, A&E and 999, who is at risk.
- Not read. Korean agency first-aid guidance on hypothermia.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the prevention reading drawn from the risk list.
Where else to check
- The nearest emergency department — if you suspect hypothermia.
Written on 13 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment.
