Hypothermia in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hypothermia is a serious risk during West Michigan’s long, cold winters—especially with lake-effect snow, windchill, and damp conditions common around Grand Rapids. Understanding the signs, risk factors, and first aid steps can save lives.

This guide is tailored for Grand Rapids residents and visitors and is based on medically accurate information. If you suspect hypothermia, seek emergency care at local hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health facilities, or call 911 immediately.

What Is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 35°C (95°F). A healthy body normally maintains a core temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F) using internal heat production and various regulatory systems.

You do not have to be in sub-zero temperatures to develop hypothermia. Any time the environment is colder than your body, your body will lose heat to the surroundings. If heat loss is greater than the heat your body produces, your core temperature will begin to fall.

Hypothermia is especially relevant in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, where:

• Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing
• Windchill along the Grand River and open areas can dramatically increase heat loss
• Wet conditions from snow, slush, or rain make heat loss faster

How the Body Loses Heat

The human body loses heat in four main ways:

1. Conduction
   Direct transfer of heat from your body to a colder object.

   • Example: Lying on frozen ground, sitting on a metal bench at a Grand Rapids bus stop in winter.

2. Convection
   Heat loss when air or water moves across your skin.

   • Example: Wind along the Grand River or at a Lake Michigan beach in colder months; cold water flowing around you if you fall through ice.

3. Radiation
   Natural loss of heat from any exposed skin to the cooler environment.

   • Example: Standing outside without a coat or hat during a January cold snap.

4. Evaporation
   Heat loss as sweat or moisture on the skin evaporates.

   • Example: Wearing damp clothes after shoveling snow, or staying in wet clothing after sledding or ice fishing.

The Body’s Natural Response to Cold

When you get cold, your body tries to protect itself by:

• Shivering to generate heat through muscle activity
• Narrowing blood vessels in the skin to keep warm blood in the core (heart, lungs, brain)
• Prompting behavior changes such as seeking shelter, adding layers, or moving around more

If these measures are not enough—especially in prolonged cold, wind, or wet conditions—hypothermia can develop.

Stages and Symptoms of Hypothermia

Hypothermia is commonly divided into three stages based on core body temperature and symptoms.

Mild Hypothermia (35–32°C / 95–89.6°F)

Symptoms may include:

• Shivering
• Pale, cool skin as blood vessels constrict
• Numbness in fingers, toes, ears, and nose
• Sluggish responses, mild confusion, drowsiness, or lethargy
• Fast breathing and increased heart rate at first

Mild hypothermia is common in Michigan winters and can often be treated effectively if recognized early.

Moderate Hypothermia (32–28°C / 89.6–82.4°F)

Symptoms may include:

• Worsening confusion or decreased level of consciousness
• Slowed, slurred speech
• Clumsiness, stumbling, or difficulty walking
• Loss of shivering
• Slowed heart rate, breathing, and lowered blood pressure
• Possible urinary incontinence

At this stage, the person may not be able to recognize how cold they are or protect themselves.

Severe Hypothermia (Below 28°C / 82.4°F)

Symptoms may include:

• Unconsciousness, no response to voice or touch
• Very slow or absent breathing (may be only 1 breath per minute)
• Very slow or absent pulse (heart rate may be under 20 beats per minute)
• Fixed, dilated pupils that do not respond to light
• Rigid muscles – the person may feel stiff, as if in rigor mortis
• Skin very cold to the touch

This is a life-threatening emergency. In Grand Rapids, call 911 immediately. Emergency teams from local hospitals such as Corewell Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health are equipped to manage severe hypothermia.

Myth: “You Lose Most Heat Through Your Head”

It is commonly said you lose more heat through your head than any other part of the body.

This is not true.

You lose heat through any exposed skin. An adult’s head is about 10% of total body surface area. It often feels like you lose more heat through your head because:

• The rest of your body is usually covered by clothing
• Your head is frequently uncovered in cold weather

If you exposed another 10% area—such as your abdomen—you would lose a similar amount of heat.

Why Babies and Young Children Need Head Coverings

At birth, a baby’s head makes up over 20% of their body surface area. That means:

• An uncovered infant’s head can lead to rapid heat loss
• Babies can develop hypothermia much faster than adults with the same amount of skin exposed

Covering a baby’s or toddler’s head in cold Grand Rapids weather is important, not because the head is “special,” but because it is relatively large compared to the rest of their body.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Hypothermia in Grand Rapids?

Certain people are more susceptible to hypothermia, especially in Michigan’s cold, damp winters.

Children

• Lose heat faster than adults
• May not recognize cold danger or know how to seek shelter
• Often play in snow and get wet, increasing heat loss
• Have larger head-to-body ratio, so covering the head helps prevent significant heat loss

Older Adults

• Reduced ability to sense temperature changes due to nerve changes in the skin
• Less body fat and lower metabolic rate, so they produce less heat
• May be reluctant to use heating due to cost concerns
• May be socially isolated, with no one noticing if they become confused or severely cold

In Grand Rapids, older adults living alone are at particular risk during cold snaps. Local support is available through:

• Kent County Health Department
• Grand Rapids Public Health and community outreach programs
• Local senior centers and social service agencies

People With Dementia or Immobility

• May wander outdoors improperly dressed in cold weather
• May be unable to dress themselves or adjust the thermostat
• May not recognize cold danger or ask for help

People Using Alcohol or Other Drugs

Alcohol and some drugs increase hypothermia risk because they:

• Dilate blood vessels, bringing warm blood to the skin and causing a “warm” feeling while actually increasing heat loss
• Slow metabolism, reducing internal heat production
• Impair judgment, making people less likely to seek shelter or dress appropriately

In Grand Rapids, alcohol-related hypothermia can occur when people leave bars or events and walk home in freezing temperatures without proper winter clothing.

Water Exposure and Wet Clothing

• Immersion in water colder than body temperature (such as Lake Michigan, the Grand River, or inland lakes in colder months) causes rapid heat loss
• Wearing wet clothing from snow, rain, or sweating accelerates evaporative heat loss

Anyone who has been in cold water, fallen through ice, or remained in wet clothing for a prolonged period in Michigan weather is at significant risk.

Medical Conditions

Some conditions can contribute to hypothermia, including:

• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Severe infections
• Certain medications that affect temperature regulation or consciousness

If you have chronic health issues and live in Grand Rapids, discuss winter safety with your primary care provider at clinics affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Severe Hypothermia: A Life-Threatening Emergency

The risk of death rises as core body temperature falls:

• Below 32°C (89.6°F) – risk of serious complications increases
• Below 28°C (82.4°F) – the condition is life-threatening without immediate medical care

At very low temperatures, a person may:

• Appear dead
• Be cold, rigid, not breathing, with no detectable pulse
• Have fixed pupils

Never Assume a Person With Hypothermia Is Dead

A severely hypothermic person may still be alive even if:

• You cannot easily feel a pulse
• They are not obviously breathing
• Their pupils do not respond to light
• Their body feels stiff and cold

Always call 911 and begin CPR if you are trained and the person shows no signs of life.

First Aid for Severe Hypothermia

If someone in Grand Rapids appears to have severe hypothermia:

1. Call 911 immediately.

   • Explain that you suspect hypothermia.
   • Follow instructions from the operator.

2. Check breathing and responsiveness.

   • If they are not breathing normally, unresponsive, or not moving, begin CPR if you are trained.
   • If you are unsure how to do CPR, the 911 operator can guide you.

3. Handle the person very gently.

   • Below about 30°C (86°F), the heart is extremely vulnerable.
   • Rough handling or sudden movements can trigger cardiac arrest.
   • Do not massage or vigorously rub their limbs.

4. Prevent further heat loss.

   • Move them out of the cold if possible, into a warm vehicle, building, or sheltered area.
   • Place them on a warm or at least dry surface, not directly on snow or cold ground.
   • Cover as much of their body as possible with coats, blankets, or sleeping bags, focusing on the torso.

5. Do not use very hot heat sources or hot water immersion.

   • Rapid rewarming or very hot heat can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems.
   • Do not put them in a hot bath.

Continue to monitor breathing until EMS arrives. In Grand Rapids, emergency medical services will transport the person to a local emergency department such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health for advanced treatment.

First Aid for All Stages of Hypothermia

These steps apply to mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia.

1. Stop Further Heat Loss

• Move the person out of the cold
  • Indoors, into a heated car, or at least a sheltered, wind-protected area.
• Remove from cold surfaces
  • Place them on a warm, dry surface if possible.
• Protect from wind and moisture
  • Use blankets, coats, tarps, or sleeping bags to block wind.
• Cover exposed areas
  • Cover as much of the body as possible to reduce radiant heat loss.
  • Especially cover the head in infants and young children.

2. Remove Wet Clothing

• Carefully remove wet or sweaty clothing as soon as practical.
• Replace with dry layers, preferably warm.
• Keep their head covered with a dry hat or hood.

3. Warm the Person Gradually

• Do not use hot water immersion.
• Use gentle heat sources that are warmer than the person but not hot, such as:
  • Electric blankets (on low)
  • Warm (not hot) water bottles
  • Commercial heat packs
  • Vehicle heater (not blowing directly on bare skin)
• Place heat sources around the torso, armpits, and groin rather than hands and feet.
• Always place a layer (cloth, towel, clothing) between heat sources and skin to prevent burns—hypothermic people may not feel heat properly.

4. Share Body Heat (If Appropriate)

If you are in a remote or outdoor setting:

• Remove your outer clothing if safe to do so.
• Lie next to the person, making skin-to-skin contact.
• Cover both of you with blankets or get into a sleeping bag together.

5. Do Not Give Alcohol

• Alcohol lowers the body’s ability to retain heat and impairs judgment.
• Never give alcohol to someone with suspected hypothermia.

If the person is awake, alert, and able to swallow safely:

• Offer warm, non-alcoholic drinks (e.g., warm water, tea, broth).
• Do not offer liquids if they are vomiting or drowsy.

6. Keep Them Still and Stay With Them

• Do not let the person walk around or exert themselves—this can worsen heat loss and stress the heart.
• Do not massage or rub their limbs.
• Stay with them at all times and monitor breathing and responsiveness.

7. Begin CPR if Needed

• If the person stops breathing or you cannot detect any signs of life, start CPR if you are trained.
• Continue until the person starts breathing on their own or until medical help arrives.
• CPR can be lifesaving even when the person appears dead.

Preventing Hypothermia Outdoors in Grand Rapids

Cold, windy, and wet conditions are common in West Michigan from late fall through early spring. To prevent hypothermia:

Dress Appropriately

• Wear several layers rather than one bulky layer:
  • Moisture-wicking base layer
  • Insulating middle layer (wool or fleece)
  • Waterproof, windproof outer layer
• Choose natural fibers like wool for insulation—they retain heat even when damp.
• Use weatherproof outerwear to stay dry in snow, sleet, or freezing rain.

Protect Extremities

• Wear insulated gloves or mittens and carry a spare pair to replace when wet.
• Wear thick, dry socks and:
  • Insulated, waterproof boots
• Wear warm headgear (hat, beanie, or hood).
• Avoid tight clothing or boots that restrict circulation.

Stay Hydrated and Fed

• Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty in cold weather.
• Eat regularly to maintain energy and internal heat production.
• Take regular breaks to avoid exhaustion.

Plan Ahead

• Check local Grand Rapids and West Michigan weather forecasts, including windchill warnings.
• Avoid prolonged exposure during snowstorms, ice storms, or extreme cold advisories.
• Carry a first aid kit that includes:
  • Clinical thermometer
  • Extra dry clothing
  • Waterproof matches or lighter
  • Emergency blanket

Use the Buddy System

• When hiking, hunting, ice fishing, or doing any cold-weather activity, use a “buddy system.”
• Check each other for early signs of hypothermia such as confusion, slurred speech, or unusual behavior.
• You may not recognize your own symptoms.

Avoid Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Excess Caffeine

• Alcohol and nicotine both affect circulation and can increase heat loss.
• Excess caffeine can contribute to dehydration.

Hypothermia at Home in Grand Rapids

Hypothermia can also occur indoors, especially during very cold weather or power outages.

Those most at risk at home include:

• Older adults
• People with chronic medical conditions
• Individuals with mobility issues or dementia
• People struggling with heating costs

Reducing Hypothermia Risk at Home

• Keep indoor temperatures at a safe level during winter.
• Wear warm layers, socks, and a hat indoors if needed.
• Use blankets at night and consider extra bedding during cold snaps.
• Have regular medical check-ups, especially if you have chronic conditions.
• If you struggle to afford heating, food, or warm clothing, seek assistance from:
  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community organizations
  • State and local heating assistance programs in Michigan

During power outages, use safe heating alternatives and never use outdoor grills or unvented fuel-burning devices indoors due to carbon monoxide risk.

When to Get Help in Grand Rapids

Call 911 Immediately If:

• The person is unconscious or not responding
• Breathing is slow, shallow, or absent
• There is no detectable pulse
• There are signs of moderate or severe hypothermia (confusion, slurred speech, loss of shivering, stiff muscles)

Other Local Resources

• Your primary care doctor (GP)
• Hospital emergency departments in Grand Rapids:
  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health facilities
• Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for education and community support

Key Points About Hypothermia in Grand Rapids

• The human body maintains a core temperature around 37°C (98.6°F); hypothermia begins below 35°C (95°F).
• Children lose heat faster than adults—covering their heads helps prevent significant heat loss due to their large head-to-body ratio.
• The risk of death increases as core body temperature drops below 32°C (89.6°F), and temperatures below 28°C (82.4°F) are life-threatening.
• Prevent further heat loss by moving the person to a warm, dry surface, sheltering from wind, and covering them with dry layers.
• Never assume a cold, unresponsive person is dead—call 911, begin CPR if trained, and let professionals at Grand Rapids hospitals determine their status.

By understanding hypothermia risks and prevention—especially in our cold West Michigan climate—you can help protect yourself, your family, and your community.