What is the best way to treat a victim of cold water immersion?

If the hypothermia is mild, it can be treated by warm blankets and warm fluids in as warm an environment as possible. Drying off the victim (if wet) will help as well, as water is extremely efficient at conducting heat away from the body.

In severe cases, immediate hospitalization is required. Ironically, if the victim appears to be dead, maintaining the hypothermic condition can increase their eventual chance of recovery, by reducing the amount of critical cell damage associated with heart failure and stopped breathing.