Stepping outside this morning was not fun. The cold, something it has taken me almost a year to forget, immediately re-introduced itself overnight.  This morning’s temperatures are not as bad as those we will deal with over the next few days, so prepared to be chilled.

You are not going to want to stay outside long, especially during overnight hours this week. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia.

Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery right?

Well, KNOWING you have a problem, or somebody near you has a problem can be life-saving.

Warning signs of hypothermia in adults can include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. Infants will have bright red, cold skin and very low energy.

The Center For Disease Control has put together steps you can take should you encounter someone with hypothermia:

If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, the situation is an emergency—get medical attention immediately.

If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows:

• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
• Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.
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A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated.