Abstract
Accidental hypothermia is an involuntary decrease in core body temperature (CBT) below 35 °C. Vasoconstriction and muscle shivering are important counterregulatory mechanisms; if these fail, CBT continues to drop, muscle shivering stops, the patient progressively loses consciousness, and the risk of cardiac arrest increases below 32 °C. Hypothermia can occur throughout the year and even in enclosed spaces. Primary hypothermia is triggered by cold exposure in a healthy individual, while secondary hypothermia results from other pathological conditions disrupting thermoregulation. CBT should be measured as a vital parameter in every emergency patient. Patients with mild hypothermia (> 32 °C) can be rewarmed through active movement, dry clothing, and warm drinks. For CBT < 32 °C, the focus is on securing vital functions, limiting movements of the patient, and full-body insulation to prevent further heat loss. Patients experiencing hypothermia-induced cardiac arrest should undergo extracorporeal rewarming, with a favourable prognosis.