Heat and Cold Emergencies

Heat-Related Emergencies Heat cramps Heat exhaustion Heatstroke © Yobro10/Dreamstime.com

Heat Cramps Painful muscle spasms Occurs after physical exertion Care for heat cramps –Stop activity and rest in cool area. –Stretch or massage cramped muscle. –Provide water or commercial sports drink if victim is not nauseated.

Heat Exhaustion Heavy perspiration with normal or slightly above normal body temperature Signs of heat exhaustion –Heavy sweating –Severe thirst –Weakness –Headache –Nausea and vomiting

Care for Heat Exhaustion Stop activity and rest in cool place. Remove excess or tight clothing. Provide water or commercial sports drink. Have victim lie down. Apply cool packs or wet towels. Seek medical care if condition does not improve.

Heatstroke Body temperature becomes extremely high Requires rapid intervention Signs of heatstroke –Hot skin –Dry skin (or may be wet from exertion) –Confusion –Seizures –Unresponsiveness

Care for Heatstroke Call Rapidly cool patient with cool, wet towels, fanning, and cold packs. If unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR.

Cold-Related Emergencies Frostbite Hypothermia

Frostbite Occurs when temperatures drop below freezing Affects feet, hands, ears, and nose Signs of frostbite –White, waxy skin –Cold and numb –Blistering Courtesy of Neil Malcolm Winkelman

Care for Frostbite (1 of 2) Get victim to warm area. Remove any wet/cold clothing or jewelry from affected part. Seek medical care.

Care for Frostbite (2 of 2) If more than an hour from medical care: –Warm the part in warm water (100°F) for 20–40 minutes. –If fingers or toes are affected, place dry dressings between these. –Elevate affected limbs and provide pain reliever.

Hypothermia Recognizing hypothermia –Body temperature falls and body cannot produce heat –Signs of hypothermia Uncontrollable shivering Confusion, sluggish Cold skin even under clothing

Care for Hypothermia Move out of the cold. Prevent heat loss. –Replace wet clothes with dry clothes. –Cover head. Have victim lie down. Give victim warm, sugary beverages if alert. Seek medical care if needed.