Hypothermia

Remove wet clothing, wrap them warmly, and call 119.

Signs of hypothermia

• Violent shivering — the early sign.
• Shivering stops — the more dangerous stage. The body can no longer generate heat.
• Slurred speech and confused judgement
• Stiff hands and feet, clumsy movement
• Drowsiness, reduced consciousness
• Pale, cold skin

What to do immediately

1. Call 119.
2. Move them somewhere warm indoors.
3. Remove wet clothing and wrap them in dry clothes or blankets.
4. Cover the head and neck too — a lot of heat is lost there.
5. If fully conscious, give warm drinks in small amounts — never alcohol.
6. Don't rub the body hard. Gentle wrapping is better.
7. For suspected frostbite, don't rub; immerse in lukewarm — not hot — water.

What not to do

• Giving alcohol — it dilates blood vessels and drops the temperature further.
• Plunging them into hot water
• Vigorously rubbing hands and feet
• Leaving them outdoors because "they seem fine"

High-risk situations

• Outdoor work or travel during a cold wave warning
• Falling asleep outdoors after drinking — extremely dangerous.
• Unheated rooms — a particular risk for older people and infants
• Exposure to wind while wet from rain or snow

Where to go

• 119 immediately
• 1339 Korea Disease Control Agency
• 1345 interpretation
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (if at work)
• Community centre (cold-wave shelters, energy support)

Questions people ask

I can't afford heating and my home is cold. Ask your community centre about energy vouchers and winter support. See energy-voucher and winter-support. Local cold-wave shelters are also available.

I work outdoors. During a cold wave, rest breaks and warming equipment are part of the employer's safety duty. Ask 1350 or 1544-3088.

What about frostbite? Don't rub it. Immerse in lukewarm water and go to hospital. Don't burst any blisters.

An older relative feels cold at home. They are in a high-risk group. Check the indoor temperature and ask the community centre about support.

Take care

Falling asleep outside after drinking is a common cause of winter deaths. Never leave an intoxicated person outdoors alone. If shivering has stopped, that is deterioration, not recovery — call 119 at once.

Related

cold-wave · heatstroke · first-aid-basics · heating-ondol · winter-support

Source

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency www.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08