Final answer:
To warm a hypothermia victim, heat should be applied to the chest and abdomen, not the extremities. It's important to handle the person gently and remove any wet clothing, using body heat and warm beverages if the person is conscious.
Step-by-step explanation:
To warm a hypothermia victim, it's critical to apply heat to the areas of the body where it would be most effective. The correct approach is to warm the person's core, which includes the chest and abdomen. Applying heat to the extremities like arms and legs should be avoided initially as this can cause cold blood to rush back to the heart and other vital organs, potentially leading to further complications. Instead, warming the core helps to restore the body's temperature from the inside out, ensuring vital organs regain their normal function first.
It is important to handle a hypothermic person gently because excessive movements can trigger dangerous heart rhythms. Other methods to assist in warming include removing any wet clothing, providing dry blankets, and using your own body heat if needed. Also, it is advised to provide warm beverages if the person is conscious and able to swallow, which can help increase internal body temperature.