If you suspect someone has hypothermia, what is the appropriate action?

Gently warming the person's core is the appropriate action when dealing with hypothermia. When the body temperature drops significantly, the body's vital organs, such as the heart and brain, can become compromised, which makes it essential to restore the person's core temperature safely and effectively. Warming the core helps to improve blood circulation and allows the body to regain its normal temperature.

It is critical to apply gentle warmth to avoid shock or further complications. Gradual rewarming is a key principle in managing hypothermia to prevent the body from reacting adversely to a sudden increase in temperature.

In contrast, giving cool beverages would not help in treating hypothermia and could potentially lower the body temperature further. Moving someone to a cool place is counterproductive, as it exposes them to lower temperatures, exacerbating their condition. Lastly, plunging a person into a hot bath could lead to thermal shock, which can be dangerous and may cause the heart rate to rise prematurely, complicating the situation. Hence, the best practice is to provide gentle warmth to the core to stabilize the individual's condition.