Heat and Cold Emergencies People 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 Cramps  Least Severe  First signals of a heat emergency  Cause painful muscle spasm Care for Heat Cramps  Rest and give cool liquids  Lightly stretch, apply cold

Heat Exhaustion  More severe than heat cramps  Affects athletes, firefighters, construction workers, etc. those working in hot humid environments Signs and symptoms  Cool pale or ashen skin, sweating  Headache  Nausea, vomiting  Dizziness, weakness and exhaustion

Treatment for Heat Exhaustion  Remove the person from the source  Loose clothing and apply cool wet cloths  You may also cool the victim with a fan  If conscious, give cool fluids to drink  Elevate the feet

Heat Stroke  Most severe, life threatening!  Extension of Heat Exhaustion  The 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 dry  Change in consciousness  Rapid, weak pulse  Shallow breathing

Treatment for Heat Stroke  Call 911 immediately  Move him to a cool place  Lay them on their back, no foot elevation  Remove clothing and wrap in a cool blanket  Monitor 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 waxy  The skin is cold to touch  The skin will be red to white to black

Care for Frostbite What you do Handle 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 do Do 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  Numbness  Glassy Stare  Confusion  Altered state of consciousness

Treatment for Hypothermia  Remove from the cold if able  Warm the body gradually by using blankets  Remove wet clothing  If 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