[Treatment of the hypothermic patient].

Treatment of the hypothermic patient depends more on the clinical condition than on the core temperature. Unconscious patients need thorough investigation, and they can often be rewarmed with warm water in the pleural cavities. Cardiac arrest requires cardio pulmonary rescue until rewarming can be established by extra corporeal circulation unless the patient is dead. The diagnosis of death can be difficult in the hypothermic patient. A rescue team is available to assist in rewarming at local hospitals.