First Aid for Colleges and Universities 10th Edition Chapter 25 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Heat...

First Aid for Colleges and Universities

10th Edition

Chapter 25

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

Heat and Cold Emergencies

Slide Presentation prepared by

Randall Benner, M.Ed., NREMT-P

Learning Objectives

• Explain how the body attempts to maintain normal body temperature.

• Explain how the body loses heat.• Describe and demonstrate appropriate first aid

care for heatstroke.• Describe and demonstrate appropriate first aid

care for heat exhaustion.• Describe and demonstrate appropriate first aid

care for heat cramps.


Learning Objectives

• Identify the signs and symptoms of hypothermia.• Describe and demonstrate appropriate first aid

care for hypothermia.• Identify the signs and symptoms of frostbite.• Describe and demonstrate appropriate first aid

care for frostbite.


Introduction

• Heat and cold emergencies can lead to minor, and occasionally life-threatening, conditions.

• Understanding how the body regulates body temperature will help you anticipate and recognize these emergencies easier.

• Heat and cold emergencies can occur in situations where there are not extreme changes in environmental temperature.


Body Temperature Regulation

• The human body attempts to maintain a constant core temp of 98.6 degrees F.

• Heat loss must equal heat production.• Body heat is created by metabolic activity,

monitored by the brain, transported by the blood stream, and eliminated via the skin and by breathing.



• The body loses heat through– Radiation– Conduction– Convection– Evaporation– Respiration


Mechanisms of Heat Loss



• The body conserves heat through– Constriction of blood vessels– Hairs on the skin stand erect and trap warm air next

to the skin– Little or no perspiration is released to the skin surface

for evaporation


Temperature Regulation

• Clothing affects thermal equilibrium by– Providing resistance to heat loss– Wearing too many layers when working or two few of

layers when resting (not recommended)– Matching clothing to the environment and the

workload (preferred)


Heat-Related Injuries

• Hyperthermia = Heat-Related Injuries • From most life threatening to least life

threatening– Heatstroke– Heat exhaustion– Heat cramps

• Common with environmental temps above 90 degrees F and relative humidity above 75%



• Groups most susceptible to heat-related emergencies– Athletes– Workers near furnaces or ovens– Those in poor physical health– Alcoholics and obese– Chronically ill– Not acclimated to environment– Undergoing concurrent drug therapy– Burn victims– Very young and very old



• Heat stroke– Heat regulation mechanisms fail to cool effectively– Heat in the body continues to rise out of control– Brain injuries and death can easily occur

• Two types– Classic– Exertional


Mechanisms of Heat Stroke


Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke


First Aid Care for Heat Stroke

• Initiate EMS, take standard precautions.• Remove the victim from heat source, if possible.• Establish an airway, support breathing and

circulation.• Use approved cooling method, do not induce

shivering.• Never give the victim stimulants or hot drinks.• Monitor the victim’s temperature while awaiting

EMS.



• Heat exhaustion– Most common heat-related emergency– Vasodilation-induced pooling of blood in the

extremities– Loss of body fluids from excessive sweating– Greatest concern is dehydration from lack of water

and blood circulation to critical body organs



• Heat exhaustion symptoms– Headache, weakness, fatigue– Dizziness, fainting– Profuse sweating, possible muscle cramps– Pale, cool, ashen skin– Normal to slightly elevated temp– Thirst, nausea and/or vomiting– Dilated pupils


Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Symptoms


First Aid Care for Heat Exhaustion

• Activate EMS.• If heat stroke develops, take standard

precautions.• Move the victim to a cool place.• Remove outer clothing.• Place patient supine, raise feet 8–12 inches.• If conscious, provide cool water or sports drink.

– ½ glass every ten minutes for one hour

• Monitor temperature every 10–15 minutes.



• Heat cramps– Least serious heat emergency– Results from disturbances to salt, calcium,

electrolytes, or fluid levels– Muscles tend to cramp but not relax– Hot weather is not a prerequisite.


Signs and Symptoms of Heat Cramps


First Aid Care for Heat Cramps

• Remove the victim from hot environment, if possible.

• Instruct victim to rest.• Administer sips of water or sports drink.

– ½ glass every fifteen minutes

• Place moist towels to forehead and cramping muscles.

• Stretching muscles may help relieve pain.• Activate EMS if victim does not respond or

deteriorates.


Cold-Related Injuries

• Hypothermia = Cold-Related Injuries• Heat loss exceeds heat gain• Types

– General hypothermia– Immersion hypothermia– Frostbite



• General hypothermia– The most life threatening cold-induced injury– Core body temperature drops below 95 degrees F– Factors that contribute to hypothermia

• Certain drug therapies• Surgery• Water activities• Pre-existing disease• Trauma and massive blood loss• Age extremes• Immobility


Stages of Hypothermia


Hypothermia Signs and Symptoms


First Aid Care for Hypothermia

• Activate EMS, take standard precautions, handle the victim gently.

• Remove the victim from cold environment if possible.

• Manage airway, breathing, and circulation.• Assess vital signs for one full minute.• Prevent further heat loss, but do not rewarm the

victim if severely hypothermic.• Never rub or manipulate the arms or legs.• Administer nothing by mouth.• Reassess and maintain care until EMS arrives.© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.


• Immersion hypothermia– Heat loss due to immersion in cold water– Heat loss extremely rapid, can occur within

minutes– Factors increasing heat loss

• Water temperature• Body size• Clothing• Physical activity• Use of alcohol


First Aid Care for Immersion Hypothermia

• Activate EMS, take standard precautions.• Remove victim from water if can be done safely.• Assess and maintain the victim’s airway,

breathing, and circulation.• Keep the victim quiet and still.• Follow insulating and rewarming guidelines for

general hypothermia.• If victim cannot be rescued from water, instruct

them to exert as little effort as possible.


Immersion Hypothermia Strategies



• Frostbite– Frostbite is freezing of body tissues, frost nip is

freezing of the skin surface– Most commonly affects exposed surfaces

• Hands, feet, ears, nose, cheeks

– Factors influencing frostbite• Trauma, blood loss, age extremes, use of alcohol, wet

clothing, high altitudes

• Three stages– First degree (frost nip, skin surface only)– Second degree (impacts skin tissues just below

surface)– Third degree (damages skin tissues at all depths)


Three Stages of Frostbite


First Aid Care for Frostbite

• Activate EMS, take standard precautions.• Remove the victim from the cold environment.

– Keep tissue frozen until care can be initiated.

• Protect injured tissue from friction or pressure.• Thaw frostbitten tissue in warm water bath

(98–104ºF).• Rewarm until skin color no longer improves.• Cover with loose, dry, sterile dressing.• Elevate the injured tissue.• Monitor vital signs until medical care arrives.


Summary

• Heat or cold emergencies can occur without extreme changes in environmental conditions.

• In most instances, EMS should be activated.• Care provided to the victim by the First Aider

may help decrease the overall severity of the injury.

• Never place yourself in danger during patient rescue or care.


First Aid for Colleges and Universities 10th Edition Chapter 25 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Heat...

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