NREMT Paramedic Practice

What is the first step in passive rewarming?

1. Applying heat

2. Removing wet clothes

3. Covering with a blanket

4. Providing warm fluids

The correct answer is: Removing wet clothes

The first step in passive rewarming is removing wet clothes. When a person is experiencing hypothermia or is significantly cold, wet clothing can further exacerbate heat loss by promoting heat transfer away from the body. Wet garments can conduct heat away from the skin due to the moisture, making it essential to remove them to prevent further cooling. Once the wet clothing is removed, the individual can better retain the heat produced by their body or by additional methods of warming, such as blankets or environmental heat. After removing wet clothes, other methods can be applied, such as covering with a blanket or applying heat, but the initial priority is to eliminate anything that would hinder the body's ability to warm naturally. This strategy is fundamental in managing hypothermic patients effectively and ensuring a safer rewarming process.