What should you do to treat hypothermia?

To effectively treat hypothermia, removing wet clothing and drinking warm beverages is crucial because this practice directly addresses the body's need to regain warmth and recover from heat loss. Wet clothing retains cold water, which can further decrease body temperature, so it's essential to remove it to allow the body to warm up more effectively.

Drinking warm beverages helps raise the internal temperature, which is vital in countering the effects of hypothermia. It provides hydration and warmth from the inside, which is more effective than simply trying to warm the body from the outside. This gradual approach helps stabilize the person’s condition safely and effectively.

In contrast, staying in the water can exacerbate the situation by continuing to expose the body to cold temperatures. Engaging in vigorous exercise might seem like a good idea, but it can lead to exhaustion and further heat loss through increased perspiration. Taking cold showers can be detrimental as they would further lower the body temperature instead of helping to raise it. Thus, the chosen method of removing wet clothing and consuming warm beverages aligns with best practices for treating hypothermia.