Heat and Cold EmergenciesPeople at risk for heat-cold emergencies include those who

work or exercise outdoors, elderly people, young children and people with health problems.

Heat-Related Injuries(Page 177)

Heat CrampsLeast SevereFirst signals of a heat emergencyCause painful muscle spasm

Care for Heat CrampsRest and give cool liquidsLightly stretch, apply cold

Heat Exhaustion

More severe than heat crampsAffects athletes, firefighters, construction

workers, etc. those working in hot humid environments

Signs and symptomsCool pale or ashen skin, sweating HeadacheNausea, vomitingDizziness, weakness and exhaustion

Treatment for Heat Exhaustion Remove the person from the sourceLoose clothing and apply cool wet clothsYou may also cool the victim with a fanIf conscious, give cool fluids to drinkElevate the feet

Heat StrokeMost severe, life threatening!Extension of Heat ExhaustionThe body’s systems are overwhelmed by heat

and begin to shut down, the brain stops first!

Signs and symptoms of Heat Stroke

Skin is hot, red and dryChange in consciousnessRapid, weak pulseShallow breathing

Treatment for Heat Stroke

Call 911 immediately Move him to a cool place Lay them on their back, no foot elevationRemove clothing and wrap in a cool blanketMonitor ABC’S

How does the wind affect how we feel in the winter?

Cold-Related Injuries

Frostbite- the freezing of a body part The skin will appear waxyThe skin is cold to touch The skin will be red to white to black

Care for Frostbite

What you doHandle with care

If you do warm the area, soak it in luke warm water

Bandage loosely

Place cotton between toes or fingers

What you don’t doDo not rub the area

Do not attempt to rewarm if there is a chance it will refreeze

Do not use hot water

Do not break blisters

Hypothermia

The entire body begins to cool because the ability to warm itself fails.

Humidity and wind will hasten hypothermia

Signals of Hypothermia

Shivering, if it stops without warming, this is a life threatening situation

NumbnessGlassy StareConfusionAltered state of consciousness

Treatment for Hypothermia

Remove from the cold if ableWarm the body gradually by using blanketsRemove wet clothingIf alert, give warm liquids

Severe Hypothermia

This is a life threatening condition, the person may experience respiratory and cardiac arrest.

As a rescuer, you need to monitor ABC’S and be prepared to do CPR and use the AED.

Objectives

• Explain the conditions of Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

• Explain how to treat each heat emergency

• Explain the conditions of Frost Bite and Hypothermia

• Explain to treat each cold emergency condition