Heath Harmon has an extensive background in construction and refining operations. Passionate about the outdoors, from camping to hunting, Heath Harmon knows foundational safety precautions such as recognizing and avoiding hypothermia.

Associated with exposure to rain, wind, and cold temperatures, hypothermia is a relatively common condition in its mild forms that can rapidly become severe and life-threatening. Symptoms include shivering, body temperature below 90 degrees, and, when shivering ceases, a serious lack of coordination,

During short periods of exposure to cold, the body should keep itself warm enough through sustained activity, as long as there is a minimum of protective gear worn. However, forced stops or an injury such as a twisted ankle can lead to protracted inactivity and give hypothermia the chance to set in. A common situation for hypothermia involves slow progress on a wind-exposed mountain ridge when a sudden rainstorm hits.

Preventative steps to take include avoiding cotton in your hiking gear and making sure that clothing is wool or of synthetic materials that maintain warmth, even when wet. Carefully layer clothes such that a rain protective shell will keep inner layers dry during periods of extended immobility. Also, plan your trip such that you are never more than a few miles from a known shelter that at least offers a roof and dry interior. Eat and hydrate regularly, as this gives the body extra reserves of energy in icy conditions. If hypothermia still threatens, try exercising in short bursts as a way of generating heat quickly.