NOLS Wilderness Medicine Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Practice Test

Severe hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to a critical drop in core body temperature. One of the hallmark signs of severe hypothermia is the absence of shivering. Normally, shivering is a physiological response to cold as the body attempts to generate warmth. However, in severe cases, the body's ability to shiver diminishes or ceases entirely due to extreme cold exposure, which reflects a significant impairment in the body's thermoregulation.

In addition to the absence of shivering, individuals with severe hypothermia may exhibit significant neurological impairment, such as confusion or altered mental status. This can lead to an inability to perform coordinated movements, including walking. The inability to walk is a serious sign that the body is struggling to maintain basic functions, indicating a critical state.

While shivering and confusion are associated with mild hypothermia, they do not apply to severe hypothermia, where the lack of shivering is an indication of a more critical state. Confusion in mild hypothermia progresses to a more profound stupor in severe hypothermia, often rendering the individual incapable of mobilization.

The other options, such as excessive sweating and rapid heartbeat