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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Skin exposed to extreme cold is numb, hard, white, grey, or waxy — especially fingers, toes, nose, or ears.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Warm shelter. Soak in warm water 30 min. No rubbing. Call 112 if large area.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Numbness, waxy white or grey skin, stiffness.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blisters or black tissue after rewarming in severe cases.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ice crystals form in tissue, damaging blood vessels and skin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Refreezing after partial thaw causes worse injury.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Get indoors. Protect area from further cold.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove rings and tight boots before swelling.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Immerse affected part in warm water — test on your wrist first.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep water warm but not hot. Do not use heating pad directly.
When and how to get professional help.
Black tissue, full thickness frostbite, or frostbite plus hypothermia needs hospital care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rewarm once in controlled warm water. Do not rub or use direct flame.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 for extensive frostbite, black tissue, or signs of hypothermia.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Describe which body parts are affected.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT rub snow on frostbite — causes damage.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT rewarm if person may refreeze before reaching hospital — seek advice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rubbing snow on frostbite helps thaw it
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Snow rubbing causes micro-trauma and worsens tissue damage.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Permanent tissue loss from improper thawing.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Cold water rescue
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was submerged or immersed in cold water and is cold, confused, or not breathing.
Decompression sickness
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After scuba diving or rapid altitude change, a person has joint pain, rash, weakness, confusion, or breathing trouble.
Heatstroke
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person exposed to extreme heat has hot dry skin, confusion, seizure, or unconsciousness.
Hypothermia
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person exposed to cold is shivering, confused, clumsy, or has stopped shivering.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Severe frostbite may need surgery or amputation prevention care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tetanus and wound care are managed in hospital.