What signifies severe hypothermia in terms of temperature?

Severe hypothermia is defined by a core body temperature that is critically low, typically below 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius). At this temperature, the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms become severely impaired, leading to significant physiological changes and increased risk of life-threatening complications. Below this threshold, the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, decreased consciousness, and respiratory failure escalates, necessitating swift medical intervention.

Understanding the temperature ranges is crucial, as it allows healthcare providers to identify the severity of hypothermia. While temperatures between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit might indicate mild to moderate hypothermia, they do not carry the same urgency for immediate intervention as temperatures falling below 90 degrees Fahrenheit, where the potential for critical complications increases dramatically. Thus, the identification of severe hypothermia is anchored on recognizing the significance of a temperature below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.