Degree by Degree: The Path to Hypothermia

98.6 degrees - normal body temperature

97-95 degrees - mild hypothermia. Symptoms: Cold sensation; goose bumps; unable to perform complex tasks with hands; shiver can be mild to severe; hands numb.

95-93 degrees - moderate hypothermia. Symptoms: Shivering, intense; muscle incoordination becomes apparent; movements slow and labored; stumbling pace; mild confusion, may appear alert. Use sobriety test, if unable to walk a 30-foot straight line, the person is hypothermic.

93-90 degrees - Symptoms: Violent shivering persists; difficulty speaking; sluggish thinking; amnesia starts to appear; gross muscle movements sluggish; unable to use hands; stumbles frequently; difficulty speaking; signs of depression; withdrawn.

90-86 degrees - Severe hypothermia. Symptoms: Shivering stops; exposed skin blue or puffy; muscle coordination very poor; inability to walk; confusion; incoherent/irrational behavior, but may be able to maintain posture and appearance of awareness.

86-82 degrees - Symptoms: Muscle rigidity; semiconscious; stupor; loss of awareness of others; pulse and respiration rate decrease; possible heart fibrillation.

82-78 degrees - Symptoms: Unconscious; heart beat and respiration erractic; pulse may not be palpable.

78-75 degrees - Symptoms: Pulmonary edema; cardiac and respiratory failure; death. Death may occur before this temperature is reached.

Source: Princeton University