The management of accidental hypothermia.

Accidental general hypothermia is defined as an unintentional lowering of the body temperature in a previously conscious patient due to exposure. Even mild degrees of hypothermia may be followed by death if treatment is not instituted promptly. Hypothermic patients who are still conscious may rewarm spontaneously. They should not be left unattended and, if the facilities are available, rapid rewarming appears to be the treatment of choice. Unconscious patients who are presumed to have a lower temperature of prolonged duration may not benefit from rapid rewarming. All hypothermia victims showing signs of life are potential survivors, but even with good facilities the mortality rate may be high.