What is the primary treatment for hypothermia?

The primary treatment for hypothermia focuses on warming the body to restore its normal temperature and function. While removing wet clothing is an important initial step because damp garments can exacerbate heat loss, active warming with a heat source is the key treatment to effectively raise the body temperature.

Active warming methods such as using warm blankets, heated air warming systems, or other heat sources (not directly to the skin) are essential in treating hypothermia. This process hastens recovery and prevents further complications that can arise from insufficient body temperature.

Removing wet clothing plays a supportive role in the overall treatment by reducing immediate heat loss, but it does not independently address the critical need for restoring warmth to the body. Therefore, while important, it is not the primary treatment method for hypothermia.