Surviving the Chill

Before the meeting: 

1. Review the activity and how to prevent and treat hypothermia. 

During the meeting: 

1. Tell Cub Scouts they are going to learn about how to treat and prevent hypothermia. 
2. Teach Cub Scouts signs of hypothermia, such as shivering, cold and pale skin, confusion, and weakness. 
3. Explain to Cub Scouts that if someone shows signs of hypothermia, they should move them to a sheltered area away from wind and rain. 
4. Explain that wet clothing can accelerate heat loss. To treat hypothermia, remove wet clothes and replace them with dry ones. 
5. Offer warm drinks to help raise the internal body temperature. Avoid caffeine as it can contribute to heat loss. 
6. Encourage group huddling to share body heat. Cub Scouts can huddle together under blankets or in a group embrace. 
7. Explain to Cub Scouts that in severe cases or if the person’s condition does not improve, they need to seek immediate professional medical assistance. 
8. Emphasize to Cub Scouts the importance of dressing warmly in cold weather and staying dry to prevent hypothermia. Teach Cub Scouts to layer clothing for insulation. 
9. Break Cub Scouts into groups of three.  
10. Ask each group to select one Cub Scout who will be the hypothermia victim.  
11. Ask victims to act out the signs of hypothermia. 
12. Ask other group members to treat the hypothermic Cub Scout. 
13. After each group has had a chance to treat their victim, gather all Cub Scouts together. 
14. Discuss with Cub Scouts why knowing how to prevent and treat hypothermia is important.