What to do if…
you have been in the cold and cannot stop shivering or feel confused

What to do now

1. Get out of the cold immediately. Move indoors or into the most sheltered warm place you can reach safely. Sit or lie down to reduce the chance of falling.
2. Call 911 now if you are confused, very drowsy, hard to wake, clumsy, slurring speech, or getting worse. Say: “Possible hypothermia after cold exposure, with uncontrollable shivering and confusion.”
3. Get wet clothing off and get dry. Remove wet layers, dry the skin if you can, put on dry layers, and cover the head and neck while leaving the face clear.
4. Warm the body gently, starting with the center of the body. Wrap in dry blankets, coats, towels, or sheets, focusing warmth on the chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep movement gentle.
5. Use warm, dry compresses only if they are available and easy. Put them on the neck, chest, or groin. Do not put heat directly on arms or legs.
6. If you are fully awake and can swallow safely, sip a warm, sweet, non-alcoholic, noncaffeinated drink. Stop if you cough, choke, vomit, or become more drowsy.
7. Check temperature only if it is easy and does not delay help. A body temperature below 95°F (35°C) is an emergency, but confusion after cold exposure matters even without a thermometer reading.
8. Have someone stay with you and watch your breathing and alertness. Tell 911 dispatch if you become hard to wake, stop shivering and seem worse, or breathing becomes slow or shallow.
9. If the person becomes unconscious or is not breathing normally, start CPR if you can and follow 911 operator instructions.