1. Environmental Emergencies
Heat and Cold Related Illnesses

2. Introduction
Once the signals of heat-related illness or cold-related emergencies begin to appear, a person’s condition can quickly worsen.
People at risk: workers outside, exercise outdoors, elderly people, young children, people with health problems or medical conditions that cause poor blood circulation
Diuretics: Condition where people who take medications to eliminate water from the body.

3. Heat Related Illnesses Heat Cramps
Least severe of the illnesses
Body is having trouble with the heat.
What to Look for:
Painful muscle spasms in Legs and abdomen.
What to do:
Help person move to a cool place to rest
Give electrolytes and carbohydrates containing fluids
Lightly stretch the muscle and gently message
NO salt tablets or supplements
Watch for further signs to continue

4. Heat Related Illnesses Heat Exhaustion
More severe condition
Affects athletes, firefighters, construction workers, factory workers and people wearing heavy clothing in heat.
What to Look for:
Cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin
Headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness
What to do:
Remove from heat source
Loosen or remove clothing
Apply cool, wet sources
Conscious and can swallow- give cool electrolyte fluids
Do not allow person to resume activity
If unconscious or vomiting- Call 911

5. Heat Related Illnesses Heat Stroke
Most severe but least common
Develops when the body systems are overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning.
What to Look for:
Extremely high body temperature, red skin that can be either dry or moist, change in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, vomiting, and seizures
What to do:
Call 911
Rapidly cool the body by immersing the person up to the neck in cold water or douse with cold water
Cover with bags of ice
Monitor person’s temperature if possible

6. Cold Related Illnesses Frostbite
Freezing of body parts exposed to the cold
Severity depends on the air temperature, length of exposure, and the wind
Can result in the loss of fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet and legs
What to Look for:
Lack of feeling in the affected area
Swelling and skin that appears waxy, cold to the touch or discolored
Blisters or area may turn black and deep tissue damage
What to do:
Call 911
Handle area gently, do not rub area or break blisters
Remove wet clothing and jewelry
Soak body in warm water
Monitor condition if gets worst

7. Cold Related Illnesses Hypothermia
Entire body cools because its ability to keep warm is failing
Air temperature does not have to be freezing
Certain conditions that can cause hypothermia
Ingestion of substances (ex. Alcohol)
Any medical conditions that impair circulation
Prolonged exposure to cold, wet and windy conditions
What to Look for:
Shivering, Numbness, glassy stare, indifference, loss of consciousness
What to do:
Call 911
Move to warm place
Warm the body gradually
Give warm liquids
Do not rub affected area
Unconsciousness- check for breathing, give CPR and warm body

8. Prevention
Do not go outdoors during the hottest or coldest part of the day
Change your activity level according to the temperature
Take frequent breaks
Dress appropriately for the environment
Drink large amounts of fluid