Mom warns about hypothermia after son experiences terrifying ‘cold shock’ at the beach

A fun family day at the beach turned into a scary situation for one Massachusetts mom and her 10-year-old son on the Fourth of July, and she’s issuing a PSA to fellow parents about the risks of hypothermia.

In a Facebook post that quickly went viral, Heather Cassani shared that she’d taken her children on an overnight trip to New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach, arriving at the beach on a sunny, 84-degree morning. Her son Declan had been well-rested, hydrated, and “had a good breakfast from the hotel buffet.”

Cassani had her eyes peeled on Declan, who’d been running in and out of the water playing with his two brothers. At one point, she says Declan came out of the water and said he felt like he was going to throw up, with Cassani writing, “I thought the breakfast was too much for the waves and he just needed to lay down.”

Walking towards her husband, Declan then became “disoriented” before passing out and vomiting. Onlookers helped to stabilize him and called for help. Paramedics then arrived to warm him up and hydrate him, with Cassani noting that “he had cold shock from the 52 degree water and he was becoming hypothermic.”

“After what felt like eternity he was up and talking,” she continued. “We waited for him to feel better and got him to the car,” with Cassani escorting him “since he was still lightheaded. He bounced back like only Declan could,” she added.

“I had no idea this could happen,” she wrote. “I’ve been going to the beach my whole life. I’ve never seen or heard this happen. The paramedics said they see it a lot, especially with the lifeguards.”

Thankfully, Declan recovered quickly at home, with Cassani concluding that her post was “just a warning to those with kids who feel no cold and love the water.” She added, “Just because they can handle it doesn’t mean they can handle it.”

What is hypothermia?

Simply put, hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is a medical emergency, according to the Mayo Clinic. The average body temperature for most adults is around 97.9 degrees Fahrenheit, while newborn babies run about 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Most children will have a body temp of 97.52 degrees or so.

A drop in body temperature—from cold weather or exposure to cold water, as in Declan’s case—can cause organs like the heart and nervous system to slow down, which is why immediate medical attention is so important.

Per the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Shivering
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Weakened pulse
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Confusion or memory loss
• Loss of consciousness
• In infants, bright red, cold skin

Body heat is lost much faster in cold water than in cold air, especially if clothes are wet. Children also lose heat more quickly than adults, and they might not be aware they are too cold.

The Mayo Clinic notes that any water colder than your body temperature can lead to hypothermia, which means staying vigilant in pools, oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water is crucial, especially for children and elderly adults.

If you suspect your child has developed hypothermia, getting them medical care ASAP is important. In the interim, gently moving them to a warm, dry location and removing wet clothing can help—covering them with dry blankets, coats, or other clothing is a good idea too. Don’t use direct heat (such as a heating pad, heating lamp, or hot water), as this can damage the skin or cause an irregular heartbeat.

Of course, no one ever wants to find themselves in a situation like Cassani’s, but knowing the risks and staying aware can only help protect your little ones from a potentially life-threatening scenario, especially during the summer months.