Hypothermia is considered severe if?

Hypothermia is classified as severe when a victim's body temperature drops to 90° Fahrenheit (approximately 32° Celsius) or lower. At this temperature, the body's normal physiological responses to cold are severely impaired, significantly increasing the risk of life-threatening complications. This state can lead to symptoms such as confusion, drowsiness, and an inability to move properly, which can compromise the victim's ability to seek help or perform necessary actions to warm themselves.

While prolonged exposure to cold conditions can lead to hypothermia, the specific body temperature threshold provides a clearer, immediate indication of its severity. Other factors like loss of sensation or inability to walk can be associated with hypothermia but do not, by themselves, define its severity as distinctly as a dangerously low body temperature does. Therefore, recognizing a temperature of 90° Fahrenheit or lower as a marker for severe hypothermia is critical for prompt and appropriate medical intervention.