Quick answer: hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can make it, and the CDC defines it as a body temperature below 95°F (35°C). Campers can get it even at 40°F or warmer if they are wet, tired and exposed to wind. Early signs include shivering, fumbling hands, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness. Frostbite freezes skin and underlying tissue, most often on fingers, toes, ears, cheeks and the nose, causing numbness and white, grayish-yellow or waxy skin. Prevent both by staying dry, dressing in layers, blocking wind, eating and drinking regularly and using a sleeping bag and pad rated for the conditions. If you suspect hypothermia, get the person out of the cold and wind, replace wet clothing, warm the core first and call 911.
Cold is one of the quieter dangers of camping. It does not arrive with thunder or flames, and the people affected often do not notice what is happening to them. A chilly, rainy day can turn into a dangerous night, especially for children, older adults and anyone who is exhausted or soaked.
This guide explains how cold injuries happen, how to spot them early and what to do while you get help. It builds on the wider safety planning in our camping safety guide for weather, fire, wildlife and emergencies.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on hypothermia and frostbite; National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill chart and cold weather safety information; American Red Cross first aid guidance for cold emergencies; National Park Service (NPS) cold weather safety pages; Wilderness Medical Society practice guidelines for the out-of-hospital evaluation and treatment of accidental hypothermia. This article is general safety information and not medical advice; call 911 in an emergency. Checked November 2026.
How the Body Loses Heat Outdoors
Your body loses heat in four main ways, and campers face all of them:
| Heat loss | How it happens at camp | How to reduce it |
|---|---|---|
| Conduction | Sitting or lying on cold ground, wet clothes against skin | Sleeping pad, sit pad, dry clothing |
| Convection | Wind or moving water carrying heat away | Windproof shell, sheltered site |
| Radiation | Heat escaping from exposed skin and head | Hat, layers, tent |
| Evaporation | Sweat and wet clothing drying on skin | Avoid overheating, change out of damp layers |
Water is the big multiplier. Wet clothing loses much of its insulating value, and water conducts heat away from the body far faster than air. That is why the CDC notes hypothermia can occur even at cool temperatures above 40°F if a person is chilled by rain, sweat or immersion in cold water.
Recognizing Hypothermia
Warning signs in adults
The CDC lists these signs of hypothermia in adults:
- Shivering
- Exhaustion or feeling very tired
- Confusion
- Fumbling hands
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
Outdoor educators often summarize the early signs as the “umbles”: a person stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles. Because confusion is part of hypothermia, the person affected may insist they are fine. Trust what you see rather than what they say.
Warning signs in infants
The CDC notes that babies with hypothermia may have bright red, cold skin and very low energy. Babies lose heat quickly and cannot tell you they are cold, so check their chest and back with your hand and dress them in one more layer than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
Stages of hypothermia
| Stage | Typical signs | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Shivering, cold hands, clumsiness, mild confusion | Act now; can usually be reversed with shelter and warmth |
| Moderate | Shivering may slow or stop, worsening confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness | Medical emergency; call 911 |
| Severe | Shivering stops, unconsciousness, weak or hard-to-find breathing and pulse | Life-threatening; call 911 and handle very gently |
The Wilderness Medical Society stresses that when shivering stops in someone who is still cold and confused, it is a sign of worsening hypothermia, not recovery.
Recognizing Frostbite
Frostbite is the freezing of skin and the tissue beneath it. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes. The CDC lists these warning signs:
- Redness or pain in any skin area, which may be the first sign
- A white or grayish-yellow skin area
- Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- Numbness
Because frostbitten skin goes numb, people often do not notice it until someone else points it out. Check each other’s faces in cold, windy weather. The NWS wind chill chart shows that frostbite can develop on exposed skin within 30 minutes or less when wind chills drop far below zero.
Frostnip
Frostnip is a mild, early cold injury that causes redness, numbness and tingling but does not freeze tissue permanently. It is a warning to cover up and warm the area before real frostbite develops.
Preventing Cold Injuries at Camp
Dress in layers and stay dry
Use a three-part system: a moisture-wicking base layer made of wool or synthetic fabric, an insulating middle layer such as fleece or down, and a wind- and waterproof shell. Avoid cotton next to the skin on cool trips, since it holds moisture. Take off layers before you start sweating on a hike, and add them as soon as you stop. Our guide to the camping clothing layering system explains how to choose each layer.
Cover your extremities
Wear a warm hat, gloves or mittens and wool or synthetic socks. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers share heat. Carry spare dry socks and gloves in a waterproof bag. Avoid tight boots, which restrict circulation to the toes.
Eat, drink and rest
The body needs fuel to make heat. Eat regular meals and snacks with carbohydrates, fats and protein, and drink water often, even if you do not feel thirsty. The CDC advises avoiding alcohol in cold weather, since it can make you feel warm while your body actually loses heat faster. Fatigue increases risk, so plan realistic days.
Sleep warm
A sleeping bag rated for temperatures colder than the expected low and an insulated sleeping pad are essential. Most heat loss at night is through the ground, so the pad matters as much as the bag. Change into dry sleep clothes, eat a snack before bed and use a hot water bottle in your bag if you have a safe, leak-proof container. Never use fuel-burning heaters inside a tent. For more, see our guide on how to stay warm while camping in cold weather.
Watch the forecast
Check the NWS forecast for overnight lows, wind and precipitation. Cold rain with wind is more dangerous for many campers than dry snow. A wind chill advisory or warning is a sign to rethink plans.
First Aid for Hypothermia
The CDC and American Red Cross advise these steps while you seek medical help:
- Call 911 or get emergency help if you can. Hypothermia beyond the mild stage needs medical care.
- Move the person out of the cold and wind, into a tent, vehicle or building if possible.
- Remove wet clothing gently and replace it with dry layers.
- Warm the center of the body first: the chest, neck, head and groin. Use an electric blanket if available, or skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing or sleeping bags.
- If the person is alert and able to swallow, give warm, sweet, non-alcoholic drinks.
- Once body temperature rises, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
Handle someone with moderate or severe hypothermia very gently, keep them lying flat and avoid rubbing their arms and legs. Do not put them in a hot bath. If the person has no pulse or is not breathing, begin CPR if you are trained and continue while waiting for help.
First Aid for Frostbite
The CDC advises the following for frostbite, usually while also checking for hypothermia, which takes priority:
- Get the person into a warm place as soon as possible.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes.
- Immerse the affected area in warm, not hot, water, or warm it with body heat, such as placing frostbitten fingers in an armpit.
- Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area, which can cause more damage.
- Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, fireplace or radiator to warm the area; numb skin burns easily.
- Get medical care.
Wilderness medicine guidance adds an important point for campers far from help: if there is a chance the area could refreeze before you reach shelter, it is often better not to thaw it, since thawing and refreezing causes more damage.
Higher-Risk Campers
Children
Kids lose heat faster than adults and may not speak up when they are cold. Check hands, feet and faces often, dress them in layers and keep them dry. Bring extra clothing for each child. See our guide to camping with toddlers for sleep setup tips.
Older adults
The CDC notes that older adults may produce less body heat and may not feel cold as quickly. Some medications and health conditions also affect temperature control.
Everyone after water exposure
Falling into cold water, capsizing a canoe or swimming in a cold lake can bring on hypothermia quickly. Get the person out, into dry clothes and into shelter right away.
Rainy-Day Hypothermia: The Most Common Camping Scenario
Many cold injuries at camp do not happen in deep winter. They happen on cool, wet spring and fall days when a group gets caught in steady rain, keeps hiking in damp cotton and then sits around a weak fire as the temperature drops after dark. Nobody feels “freezing,” but everyone is slowly losing heat.
A few habits break that chain:
- Put on rain gear at the first drizzle, before clothing soaks through.
- Pitch the tent and get a dry layer on as soon as you reach camp.
- Keep sleeping bags and spare clothes in waterproof bags or liners.
- Start the stove for a hot drink and food early rather than waiting for a campfire.
- Check in with every member of the group, especially quiet ones.
Our guide to camping in the rain covers tent setup, tarps and drying gear in wet weather.
Hypothermia Myths and Facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| You only get hypothermia in freezing weather | The CDC says it can happen above 40°F when people are wet or chilled |
| Alcohol warms you up | It can make you feel warm while increasing heat loss; the CDC advises avoiding it in the cold |
| Rubbing frostbitten skin restores circulation | Rubbing can damage tissue; warm gently instead |
| If shivering stops, the person is warming up | In someone still cold and confused, it can signal worsening hypothermia |
| A hot bath is the fastest fix | Rapid, rough rewarming can be dangerous for moderate or severe hypothermia |
| Most heat is lost through the head | Any uncovered skin loses heat; cover the head along with the rest of the body |
Cold-Weather Safety Kit
- Spare dry base layers, socks, hat and gloves in a waterproof bag
- Emergency blanket or bivy
- Insulated sleeping pad and an appropriately rated sleeping bag
- Stove and fuel for hot drinks, used outside the tent
- High-energy snacks
- Thermometer
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- A way to call for help, such as a phone, satellite messenger or personal locator beacon
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get hypothermia above freezing?
Yes. The CDC notes hypothermia can happen at temperatures above 40°F if a person is chilled by rain, sweat or cold water.
What are the first signs of hypothermia?
Shivering, fumbling hands, confusion, slurred speech, exhaustion and drowsiness are early warning signs. In babies, look for bright red, cold skin and low energy.
How do you warm someone with hypothermia while camping?
Move them out of the wind, replace wet clothes with dry ones, warm the chest, neck, head and groin first with skin-to-skin contact or warm layers, give warm sweet drinks if alert, and call 911.
Should you rub frostbitten skin?
No. The CDC advises against rubbing or massaging frostbitten areas. Warm them gently in warm, not hot, water or with body heat.
What does frostbite look like?
Early frostbite may cause redness and pain, followed by white or grayish-yellow skin that feels firm or waxy and numb.
