Classification and Staging of Accidental Hypothermia
Temperature* | WMS Classification | Swiss System Stage | Original Swiss System Clinical Findings | Revised Swiss System Clinical Findings† |
|---|---|---|---|---|
32 to 35°C | Mild | 1 | Conscious; shivering | Alert |
28 to 32°C | Moderate | 2 | Impaired consciousness; shivering absent | Responsive to verbal stimuli |
24 to 28°C | Severe | 3 | Unconscious | Responsive to painful stimuli, or unresponsive with detectable vital signs |
< 24°C | Profound | 4–5 | Apparent death | Unresponsive with no detectable vital signs |
* Core temperature ranges are approximate and overlap between categories. | ||||
† Using the "AVPU" scale:
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WMS = Wilderness Medical Society | ||||
Dow J, Giesbrecht GG, Danzl DF, et al. Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia: 2019 Update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019;30(4S):S47-S69. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2019.10.002 and Musi ME, Sheets A, Zafren K, et al. Clinical staging of accidental hypothermia: The Revised Swiss System: Recommendation of the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom). Resuscitation. 2021;162:182-187. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.02.038 | ||||
