Hot%20

1
Hot Cold Weather Injuries Emergencies

• Developed as part of the National Emergency
  Services Curriculum Project

2
Progression of Heat Injuries

• Heat Cramps
• Heat Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke

3
Heat Cramps

• Symptoms
• Severe muscle cramps
• General Weakness
• Dizziness and fainting

• Treatment
• Move to a cool shady place
• Electrolyte drinks
• Massage the cramped area
• Apply moist towels to the cramped muscle and the
  patients forehead
• Transport the person to a medical care facility
  if symptoms worsen

4
Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Cold and clammy skin
• Heavy perspiration
• Weakness and dizziness

• Treatment
• Move to a cool shady place
• Remove enough clothing to cool the patient
• Fan the patients skin to promote sweat
  evaporation
• If conscious provide electrolyte drinks
• Treat for shock and transport to a medical care
  facility

5
Heat Stroke

• Symptoms
• Deep breathing becoming progressively more
  shallow
• Rapid strong pulse becoming weaker
• Dry and hot skin
• Unconsciousness, seizures, and muscular twitching
• Dilated pupils

• Treatment
• Remove the person from any heat sources and
  remove clothing
• Immerse the patient in cool water, or use cold
  wet towels or ice packs on the patients armpits,
  groin, under the neck, and behind the knees
• Treat for shock and transport the patient to a
  medical care facility

6
Heat Stress Prevention

• Drink plenty of water per day
• 2 quarts minimum on mild days
• 6 to 8 quarts on hot days or 1 quart an hour
• Frequent sipping is better than guzzling

• Monitor the color of your urine
• Wear loose fitting and open clothing
• Do not overexert yourself
• Use the buddy system
• Dont be afraid to stop, rest and drink

7
Cold Weather Injuries

• Frostbite
• Early stage
• Later stage
• Hypothermia
• Early stage
• Later stage

8
Early Stage Frostbite

• Symptoms
• Skin turns from red to white and waxy
• Numbness in the affected area

• Treatment
• Warm the affected area using body heat
• DO NOT massage a frostbitten body part

9
Later Stage Frostbite

• Symptoms
• Skin turns mottled o blotchy, then yellow, and
  finally greyish-blue

• Treatment
• Transport the patient to a medical care facility
  immediately
• DO NOT massage a frostbitten body part

10
Early Stage Hypothermia

• Symptoms
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Numbness
• It does not have to be freezing out for
  hypothermia to happen!

• Treatment
• Keep the patient warm and dry
• Remove wet clothing
• Warm the central body before the extremities to
  keep blood from flowing away from the major organs

11
Later Stage Hypothermia

• Symptoms
• Drowsiness
• Inability to perform simple actions
• Slow pulse and breathing rate
• Failing eyesight and a glassy stare
• Unconsciousness

• Treatment
• All treatment steps for early hypothermia
• Handle the patient gently and place in a
  head-down position
• Transport the patient to medical care immediately

12
Cold Injury Prevention

• Cover all extremities by using gloves, wool
  socks, knits hats, etc.
• Dress in layers
• Choose clothing that will trap air pockets yet
  allow moisture to pass through
• Avoid getting wet
• Change clothing when it is wet or dirty
• Identify personnel with a history of cold weather
  injuries, and watch them carefully
• Use the buddy system

13
Hot Cold Weather Injuries Tasks

• O-0003 Prevent and Treat Hot Weather Injuries
• O-0004 Prevent and Treat Cold Weather Injuries

14
QUESTIONS?
THINK SAFETY!