Heat and ColdHeat and ColdEmergencies!Emergencies!

By: Marina LeonovaBy: Marina LeonovaJazmine SimmonsJazmine Simmons

Prolonged exposure to cold may result in Prolonged exposure to cold may result in hypothermia, or abnormally low body hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. temperature.

Body temperatures that drop too low affect the Body temperatures that drop too low affect the brain which makes it difficult to think clearly or brain which makes it difficult to think clearly or move quickly. move quickly.

Hypothermia is dangerous because you may not Hypothermia is dangerous because you may not know it's occurring until it's too late. know it's occurring until it's too late.

HypothermiaHypothermia

Hypothermia is more likely at very cold Hypothermia is more likely at very cold temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) temperatures (above 40°F)

If a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or If a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water, they are susceptible to submersion in cold water, they are susceptible to hypothermia.hypothermia.

Victims of hypothermia are often elderly or Victims of hypothermia are often elderly or babies and those outside for long periods of time. babies and those outside for long periods of time.

Hypothermia ContHypothermia Cont’’D….D….

ShiveringShivering

ExhaustionExhaustion

ConfusionConfusion

Memory LossMemory Loss

Slurred speechSlurred speech

DrowsinessDrowsiness

Symptoms of Hypothermia:Symptoms of Hypothermia:

If temp. is below 95° get medical attention immediately.If temp. is below 95° get medical attention immediately.

Must Warm up the person. Must Warm up the person.

Try and get them into a warm room or shelter out of the cold. Try and get them into a warm room or shelter out of the cold.

Remove wet clothing!Remove wet clothing!

Warm the core of the body first with an electric blanket, skin-Warm the core of the body first with an electric blanket, skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets. to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets.

After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck. and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.

Get medical attention as soon as possible. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case get emergency assistance immediately. Start CPR until the get emergency assistance immediately. Start CPR until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. victim responds or medical aid becomes available.

In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated. can be successfully resuscitated.

Treatment for HypothermiaTreatment for Hypothermia

Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in

affected areas (nose, ears, cheeks, chin, affected areas (nose, ears, cheeks, chin,

fingers, or toes). Frostbite can permanently fingers, or toes). Frostbite can permanently

damage the body, and in severe cases it can damage the body, and in severe cases it can

lead to amputation of the affected body part. lead to amputation of the affected body part.

FrostbiteFrostbite

Signs of FrostbiteSigns of Frostbite

The first signs are redness or pain in any skin The first signs are redness or pain in any skin

area. Other signs include: area. Other signs include:

a white or grayish-yellow skin area a white or grayish-yellow skin area

skin that feels unusually firm/ waxy skin that feels unusually firm/ waxy

numbness numbness

People are often unaware of frostbite because the People are often unaware of frostbite because the

frozen tissues are numb. frozen tissues are numb.

Signs of Frostbite:Signs of Frostbite:

Gradually warm frostbitten areas.Gradually warm frostbitten areas. Put frostbitten hands or Put frostbitten hands or feet in warm water — 104 to 107.6 F (40 to 42 C). feet in warm water — 104 to 107.6 F (40 to 42 C).

Wrap or cover other areas in a warm blanket. Wrap or cover other areas in a warm blanket.

Protect your skin from further exposureProtect your skin from further exposure: place under : place under armpits to warm and keep other exposed areas covered. armpits to warm and keep other exposed areas covered.

Don't walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible.Don't walk on frostbitten feet or toes if possible. It can It can damage even more tissue. damage even more tissue.

If there's any chance the affected areas will freeze again, If there's any chance the affected areas will freeze again, don't thaw them out.don't thaw them out. If they're already thawed out, wrap If they're already thawed out, wrap them up so that they don't become frozen again. them up so that they don't become frozen again.

Know what to expect as skin thaws.Know what to expect as skin thaws. If the skin turns red and If the skin turns red and there's a tingling and burning sensation as it warms, there's a tingling and burning sensation as it warms, circulation is returning. But if numbness or sustained pain circulation is returning. But if numbness or sustained pain remains during warming or if blisters develop, seek medical remains during warming or if blisters develop, seek medical attention. attention.

Treatment of Frostbite:Treatment of Frostbite:

Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramps. Heat Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramps. Heat

Stroke being the most severe. Stroke being the most severe.

The first step is always prevention:

• Wear loose-fitting, light-weight clothing in hot weather

• Rest frequently

• Stay inside in a well cooled area

• Drink lots of fluids (avoid caffeine or alcohol: they can make you even more dehydrated)

• Always be aware if there are weather warning for extreme heat.

Heat related EmergenciesHeat related Emergencies

Occurs usually during outdoor games. Where muscles can have spasms due to heavy exertion. Leading to pain as well. This is usually caused by loss of water and salt from sweating.

Heat CrampsHeat Cramps

Symptoms usually include:Symptoms usually include:

• Abdominal cramps, Leg cramps or muscle

spasms.

First Aid:

1. Move victim to a cool location.

2. If conscious, give ½ glass of water every 15 minutes.

Treatment for Heat Cramps:Treatment for Heat Cramps:

Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke, if left untreated it can lead to heat stroke.

What is Heat Exhaustion? Heat exhaustion is caused by fluid loss which then causes the blood flow to decrease to vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. Dehydration symptoms are almost flu-like: tired, light headed, weakness.

Heat Exhaustion: Heat Exhaustion:

• Skin is COOL, PALE, MOIST

• Pupils are dilated (very large)

• Body temperature near normal

• Heavy sweating

• Headache

• Nausea, dizziness, or vomiting

Signs & Symptoms of HeatSigns & Symptoms of HeatExhaustion:Exhaustion:

1. Call EMS immediately.

2. Move the victim to a cool location out of the heat.

3. Lay victim on back and raise feet 10-12 inches this will help with circulation.

4. Remove/loosen clothing

5. Cool victim by fanning or applying cold packs, wet sheets or towels

6. If conscious give 1/2 glass water every 15 minutes. Gatorade is good as well to help replenish.

Treatment for Heat Treatment for Heat Exhaustion: Exhaustion:

Heat stroke is the most serious type of heat-related emergency. It is LIFE-THREATENING and requires IMMEDIATE and AGGRESSIVE treatment!

Definition: Heat stroke occurs when the body’s heat regulating mechanisms fail. The Body temperature rises so high that it leads to brain damage and even death unless the body is cooled quickly!

Heat Stroke, What is it?Heat Stroke, What is it?

• Skin is HOT, RED, DRY.

• Pupils are constricted (very small)

• Body temperature is VERY HIGH (sometimes as high as 105°)

Symptoms of Heat StrokeSymptoms of Heat Stroke

1. Call 911 immediately.

2. Move the victim to a cool location out of the heat.

3. Place victim in a tub of cool water, wrap in wet sheets, and place in an air conditioned room.

Do not try to treat it yourself. Stay by the person and monitor until EMS arrives.

Treatment of Heat Stroke:Treatment of Heat Stroke:

Underestimate the seriousness of heat related emergencies, especially for children or the elderly

DO NOT Give medications to reduce fever (i.e. Aspirin); they may cause further harm

DO NOT Give victims salt tablets

DO NOTOverlook possible complications from other medical problems

Do NOT Give victims liquids containing alcohol or caffeine—they interfere with the body’s ability to control Temperature

DO NOT Give the victim ANYTHING by mouth of heat stroke is suspected.

The DO NOTS!The DO NOTS!

Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q0s8uKfE8I&feature=related

Work Cited!

• http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/firstaid/basics/088.html

• http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/enviromentalissues/a/extremecold.htm

• http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/enviromentalissues/a/extremecold.htm

• http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/heat-related-illnesses-topic-overview

• http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/enviromentalissues/a/Exercise_Heat.htm