Which stage refers to the progression to a lower core temperature during immersion?

• A. Stage 2: Cold Incapacitation
• B. Stage 3: Hypothermia
• C. Stage 4: Circum-Rescue Collapse
• D. Stage 1: Cold Water Shock

Answer: (B)

Progression to a lower core temperature during immersion is described by the hypothermia stage. When someone sits in cold water, heat is lost from the body over time, and the core temperature eventually falls below normal. This stage brings slower metabolism, impaired coordination, confusion, and a higher risk of serious heart problems as the body’s systems begin to shut down. It follows the initial rapid responses of cold water shock and the subsequent period of impaired function, and it specifically centers on the ongoing cooling of the body's core. The other stages describe the immediate reactions or hazards during rescue rather than the sustained drop in core temperature: cold water shock is the initial gasping and hyperventilation response, cold incapacity is the loss of physical ability due to cooling, and circum-rescue collapse is collapse related to rescue circumstances, not the cooling process itself.