PSR ExpertPrimitive Survival Rating

Field First Aid

Heat illness & hypothermia

Environmental injury management is older than modern medicine—shade, water, insulation and gradual rewarming.

1 min readMedium energyHigh reliability

At a glance

Energy investmentMedium energyPrevention (pace, layers) costs less than rescue.
ReliabilityHigh reliability
TimeOngoing management

Materials

  • Shade or insulation
  • Water
  • Dry layers
  • Sweet fluids if conscious

Steps

  1. 1Heat: stop activity, shade, cool skin, sip water if alert.
  2. 2Heat stroke signs (confusion, hot skin)—cool aggressively and evacuate.
  3. 3Cold: replace wet layers, insulate from ground, warm sweet drinks if conscious.
  4. 4Never rub frostbitten tissue with snow; protect and evacuate.
Field care for heat and cold: a stretched shade tarp with water and a damp cloth above, and a dry bedroll, spare layers and a warm drink below
Opposite problems, mirrored answers: shed heat and rehydrate, or trap heat and get dry first.

Common mistakes

  • Pushing through early heat cramps
  • Alcohol “to warm up”
  • Rewarming too fast after severe hypothermia without support

Other methods

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