What is the primary field treatment for severe hypothermia?

The primary field treatment for severe hypothermia focuses on getting the affected individual to a warmer environment where they can receive appropriate medical care. Evacuation is critical because severe hypothermia can lead to life-threatening complications, and advanced medical treatment may be necessary, including rewarming measures that cannot be performed effectively in a remote wilderness setting.

While warming techniques such as administering warm IV fluids can be beneficial in a medical facility, they are not practical or safe in the field for severe cases. Assessing vital signs is important to monitor the patient's condition but does not directly address the life-threatening nature of severe hypothermia. Administering high doses of caffeine is not an appropriate treatment and could potentially exacerbate the situation as caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and potentially lead to further complications in a hypothermic patient.

Thus, evacuation represents a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the immediate need for rewarming and stabilization in a controlled setting.