Chapter 19: Heat- and Cold-Related Emergencies

292 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Heat and Cold Illness  They following effects determine an individual’s susceptibility:  Humidity  Wind  Clothing  Living and working environments  Physical activity  Age  Health

293 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Factors Affecting Body Temperature Regulation  People more susceptible to a heat- or cold-related emergency include—  Those involved in strenuous activity in warm or cold environment.  Elderly people.  Young children.  Those who have predisposing health problems.  Those who have had a previous heat- or cold-related emergency in the past.  Those who have cardiovascular disease.  Those who take medications to eliminate water from the body (diuretics).

294 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Heat-Related Emergencies  Conditions associated with overexposure to heat are—  Heat cramps.  Heat exhaustion.  Cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin.  Headache, nausea, dizziness.  Weakness, exhaustion.  Heavy sweating.  Heat stroke = life threatening.  Red, hot, dry skin.  Changes in level of consciousness.  Vomiting.

295 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Care for Heat-Related Illness  Early stages can usually be reversed.  Cool the body.  Give fluids if the victim is conscious.  Take steps to minimize shock.  Late stages care—  Calling or the local emergency number immediately.  Cooling the body.  Monitoring breathing and consciousness.  Being prepared to give rescue breathing or CPR, if needed.

296 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Cold-Related Emergencies  Frostbite The freezing of body tissues due to exposure.  Superficial frostbite  Deep frostbite Signals of frostbite include—  Lack of feeling in the affected area.  Skin that appears waxy.  Skin that is cold to the touch.  Skin that is discolored (flushed, white, yellow or blue).  Hypothermia Body temperature below 95° F. Signals of hypothermia include—  Shivering or no shivering.  Numbness.  Glassy stare.  Apathy.  Weakness.  Impaired judgment.  In the case of severe hypothermia—  Unconsciousness.  Altered breathing.  Muscle rigidity.

297 AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross All rights reserved. Care for Cold-Related Illness  Care for frostbite—  Call or the local emergency number.  Attempt to remove jewelry or restrictive clothing.  Handle the affected area gently; never rub the affected area.  Re-warm affected area by submersing in luke warm water.  Loosely bandage the area with a dry, sterile dressing.  Care for hypothermia—  Check and care for life-threatening conditions.  Call or the local emergency number.  Carefully remove wet clothing and dry the victim.  Get the victim out of the cold and warm the body gradually.  If alert, give the victim warm nonalcoholic and decaffeinated liquids.  Monitor breathing and signs of circulation.  Be prepared to give rescue breathing or CPR if necessary.