# AI tells a user to remove wet clothing from a hypothermia victim and wrap in blankets, but if the victim is severely hypothermic (<30°C), this can trigger cardiac arrest due to afterdrop

- **ID:** `emergency/hypothermia-wet-clothing-removal`
- **Domain:** emergency
- **Category:** life_safety
- **Error Code:** `HYPOTHERMIA-AFTERDROP-ERR-003`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 86%

## Root Cause

In severe hypothermia, the body's core temperature is dangerously low; removing wet clothing can cause peripheral vasodilation and cold blood to rush to the core (afterdrop), precipitating ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Wilderness Medical Society Guidelines 2024 | active | — | — |
| AHA Hypothermia Algorithm 2020 | active | — | — |
| ICAR MedCom 2023 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **For severe hypothermia (unconscious, no shivering, core <30°C): do not remove clothing. Wrap the victim in a hypothermia wrap (multiple layers: vapor barrier, insulation, windproof shell) and transport gently. Handle with extreme care to avoid jostling the heart.** (85% success)
   ```
   For severe hypothermia (unconscious, no shivering, core <30°C): do not remove clothing. Wrap the victim in a hypothermia wrap (multiple layers: vapor barrier, insulation, windproof shell) and transport gently. Handle with extreme care to avoid jostling the heart.
   ```
2. **If clothing is wet but the victim is conscious and shivering (mild hypothermia), replace wet clothing with dry layers in a warm shelter, then apply passive external rewarming (blankets, warm drinks).** (90% success)
   ```
   If clothing is wet but the victim is conscious and shivering (mild hypothermia), replace wet clothing with dry layers in a warm shelter, then apply passive external rewarming (blankets, warm drinks).
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Rapidly cutting away all wet clothes in a cold environment; the victim loses convective heat faster than rewarming can compensate, causing core temperature to drop further. (80% fail)
- **** — Applying active external rewarming (hot packs) to extremities after removing clothes; this can cause peripheral vasodilation and afterdrop, leading to cardiac arrest. (75% fail)
- **** — Using alcohol rubs or vigorous rubbing to dry the skin; this causes friction-induced vasodilation and shivering suppression, worsening hypothermia. (85% fail)