# AI tells a hiker to treat mild hypothermia by giving alcohol (whiskey, brandy) or coffee to warm up, or to rub the person's limbs vigorously

- **ID:** `safety/hypothermia-alcohol-treatment`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** system_error
- **Error Code:** `HYPOTHERMIA-TX-ERR-003`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Alcohol causes vasodilation, increasing heat loss from the core to the skin, worsening hypothermia; caffeine is a diuretic and can exacerbate dehydration; rubbing limbs can cause cardiac arrest in severe hypothermia by forcing cold blood from extremities to the heart.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for Hypothermia 2019 | active | — | — |
| American Heart Association CPR Guidelines 2020 | active | — | — |
| Red Cross First Aid Manual 2021 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Move person to shelter, remove wet clothing, wrap in blankets or sleeping bag, apply warm (not hot) water bottles or chemical heat packs to core areas (chest, neck, armpits, groin). Do NOT warm arms/legs.** (88% success)
   ```
   Move person to shelter, remove wet clothing, wrap in blankets or sleeping bag, apply warm (not hot) water bottles or chemical heat packs to core areas (chest, neck, armpits, groin). Do NOT warm arms/legs.
   ```
2. **If conscious and able to swallow, give warm sweet drinks (non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated) like hot chocolate or warm juice. Monitor level of consciousness every 5 minutes.** (82% success)
   ```
   If conscious and able to swallow, give warm sweet drinks (non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated) like hot chocolate or warm juice. Monitor level of consciousness every 5 minutes.
   ```
3. **For severe hypothermia (unconscious, no shivering), call emergency services immediately. While waiting, handle gently, do not move excessively, and apply passive rewarming only.** (75% success)
   ```
   For severe hypothermia (unconscious, no shivering), call emergency services immediately. While waiting, handle gently, do not move excessively, and apply passive rewarming only.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Give warm (non-alcoholic) sweet drinks like hot chocolate or tea** — Giving alcohol causes vasodilation, increasing heat loss; body core temperature drops further. (72% fail)
- **Apply gentle passive rewarming with blankets and heat packs to core (chest, neck, groin)** — Rubbing limbs forces cold blood to heart, risk of ventricular fibrillation in severe hypothermia. (68% fail)
- **Offer warm water or electrolyte solutions** — Giving coffee/caffeine causes diuresis, worsening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. (55% fail)