British Columbia CORE Hunting Practice Exam

What is a recommended method to warm a hypothermic victim effectively?

1. Provide ice packs

2. Skin-to-skin contact

3. Wrap in multiple heavy blankets

4. Make them run to generate heat

The correct answer is: Skin-to-skin contact

Providing skin-to-skin contact is an effective method for warming a hypothermic victim because it allows for direct transfer of body heat from one person to another. This method maximizes warmth by utilizing the body heat of the individual providing assistance, which is particularly crucial in severe cases of hypothermia where the victim's own body temperature has dropped significantly. Skin-to-skin contact is beneficial as it can help stabilize the victim's body temperature more rapidly than other methods. The warmth radiated from the helper’s body can effectively raise the hypothermic individual’s core temperature without risking further heat loss that might occur with external heating methods. Additionally, other options present challenges. For example, providing ice packs would further lower the body temperature rather than raise it, which can be counterproductive in treating hypothermia. Wrapping a person in multiple heavy blankets could be helpful to some degree, but if the blankets trap moisture or if the hypothermic person is not producing significant body heat, this method could also be less effective. Making a hypothermic person run poses significant risks, including the potential for cardiac complications, as physical exertion can further stress an already compromised body. Thus, the method of skin-to-skin contact is highly recommended for its efficiency