First Aid Heat Related Emergencies

Heat Illnesses Heat Cramps Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke

Heat Cramps Painful muscular spasms Happens suddenly Usually calf, hamstrings or abd muscles Happens immediately after exertion

Heat Cramps: What to Do Rest in cool place Drink slightly salted cool water or commercial sports drink Stretch cramped muscle

Heat Exhaustion Heavy perspiration Slightly above normal body temp Water &/or salt depletion Severe thirst Fatigue, HA N/V

Heat Exhaustion: What to Do Move to cool place Give cool liquids Elevate legs 8-12 inches Remove excess clothing Sponge with cool water and fan SMA if no improvement within 30 minutes

Heat Stroke Extremely high body temp Altered mental status May have stopped sweating completely Seizure Death

Heat Stroke: What to Do Medical Emergency! SMA Immediately Move to cool place Remove clothing down to underwear Keep head and shoulders slightly elevated

Heat Stroke: What to Do Cool quickly by: Low humidity: Spray with water and fan High Humidity: Place ice bags wrapped in wet towels at major pulse points

How Hot it Feels Temperature and humidity influence how hot it feels. The higher the humidity - the hotter it feels 85 degrees with 70% humidity feels like 93 degrees

Less Serious Heat Illnesses Heat Syncope Dizzy &/or faints after exposure to high heat Tx: Lie down in cool place and drink water

Less Serious Heat Illnesses Heat Edema Ankles and feet swell from heat exposure More common in women Tx: Wear support stocking and elevate feet

Less Serious Heat Illnesses Prickly Heat Heat rash Tx: dry and cool skin

Learning Activities For heat cramps, stretch a cramped leg muscle. Yes Heat Related

Learning Activities Give salt tablets for any heat illness. No Heat Related

Learning Activities Move out of heat to cool place. Yes Heat Related

Learning Activities Heat exhaustion: medical emergency. SMA immediately. No Heat Related

Learning Activities Heat stroke. Immediate cooling by any means possible. Yes Heat Related

Learning Activities Use rubbing alcohol for cooling. No Heat Related

Learning Activities High humidity, wet down and spray and fan victim. No Heat Related

Learning Activities Low humidity, cold packs at pulse points. No Heat Related

Learning Activities 16 Scenerio: Mowing lawns. Hot humid day. Heavy sweating. Thirsty, nauseated, HA. What to do? Heat Exhaustion: Move to cool place Cool liquids to drink, Elevate legs Remove excess clothing Sponge with cool water, fan if needed

Learning Activities 16 Scenerio: At a large amusement park. Extremely hot and humid. Elderly man falls out of seat. Skin hot and dry. Unresponsive. What to do? Heat Stroke: Medical Emergency! SMA Immediately. Move to cool place. Remove clothing down to underwear Keep head & shoulders slightly elevated Place ice bags wrapped in wet towels at major pulse points

Learning Activities 16 Scenerio: Man from north goes south. Golfing. Becomes dizzy, faints but becomes responsive quickly. What to do? Heat Syncope: L ay down in cool place Drink water