1. Environmental Emergencies
Chapter Six
Environmental Emergencies

2. Heat & Cold Related Emergencies

3. Factors that Influence the Body’s Ability to Regulate Temperature
Air Temperature
Humidity
Wind
What type of clothing you wear
How much water you drink
How intense your activity is

4. People at Increased Risk for Heat or Cold Related Illnesses -
Those who work or exercise strenuously
Elderly people and young children
Those with heart disease or diabetes
Those who have had heat or cold related illness in the past
Those who have cardiovascular disease
Those who take medication to eliminate water from the body

5. Heat Cramps
Painful spasms of skeletal muscle that usually occur in the abdomen and legs
Signs & Symptoms
Along with the cramps, the person’s body temperature is usually normal and the skin is moist
Care
Have the victim rest comfortably in a cool place
Lightly stretch the muscle
Give the victim cool water, juice, or a sports drink

6. Heat Exhaustion
The early stage and most common form of heat related illness
It is an early sign that the body’s temperature regulating mechanism is overwhelmed
Signs & Symptoms
Cool, moist, pale skin
Headache and/or nausea
Dizziness, weakness and exhaustion

7. Heat Stroke The least common yet and most severe heat emergency
Body systems are overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning
Signs & Symptoms
High body temperature
Red, hot skin, which may be dry or moist
Change in level of consciousness
Rapid, weak pulse
Rapid, shallow breathing
Without proper care, the victim will die

8. Care for Heat Related Illness
Care in early stages –
Cool the body
Give the victim fluids
Should not resume activity
Care in late stages –
Call 9-1-1
Recovery position
Monitor ABCs
Cool the body any way possible Immerse body in cold water or spray it down
Be prepared to do CPR or use an AED

9. Frostbite The freezing of body tissues
It can lead to the loss of extremities
Signs & Symptoms
Lack of feeling in the affect area
Skin that appears waxy
Skin that is cold to the touch
Skin that is discolored
White, yellow, or blue

10. Care for Frostbite Handle the area gently, never rub it
Use skin to skin contact to rewarm that area
Rewarm the affected area by gently soaking it in warm water
Bandage the area with a clean, dry dressing
Place gauze in between frostbitten fingers or toes
Seek professional medical care

11. Hypothermia
When the entire body cools when its warming mechanism fails
The body temperature drops below 95 degrees
Signs & Symptoms
Shivering
Numbness
Glassy stare
Indifference
Change in the level of consciousness

12. Care for Hypothermia Call 9-1-1
Check and care for any life threatening conditions
Remove any wet clothing and dry the victim
Warm the body gradually by wrapping the victim in blankets or putting dry clothing and moving him or her to a warm environment
Be prepared to give CPR or use an AED
If the person is alert, give them a warm drink that does not have alcohol or caffeine in it

13. Preventing Heat & Cold Related Emergencies
Avoid being outdoors in 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 fluids before, during, and after activity

14. Bites and Stings

15. Signs & Symptoms of Common Bites and Stings
Presence of a stinger
Pain
Swelling
Signals of an allergic reaction

16. Insects
Many Americans are severely allergic to the venom of bees, wasps, and hornets.
When these people are stung they need immediate medical attention.
Care –
If you see the stinger, remove it to prevent any further poisoning.
Scrape the stinger with your nail or a plastic card.
Wash the site and cover it. Apply a cold pack to reduce the pain and swelling.
Monitor ABC’s

17. Preventing Bites and Stings
Wear long sleeved shirts and pants
Wear light colored clothing
Tuck your pants into your socks or boots
Tuck your shirt into your pants
Stay in the middle of trails, avoid tall grass
Check for insects on your body especially hairy areas of the body
Consider using a bug repellent

18. Tick-Borne Diseases Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (bacterial infection)
Signals of infection – fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, lack of appetite
Later signals – Spotted rash, abdominal pain, joint pain, diarrhea
Babesia Infection (protozoa infection)
Signals of infection – fever, seats, chills, body and headaches, no appetite, nausea, fatigue
Others develop a type of anemia that causes dark urine or jaundice.
Ehrlichiosis (bacterial infection)
Signals of infection – fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches
Later signals – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, joint pains, confusion, rash
Lyme Disease
Signals of infection – bull’s eye rash, fever, headache, weakness, joint and muscle pain
Later signals – severe fatigue, stiff, aching neck, tingling or numbness in fingers and toes, facial paralysis

19. Preventing Tick Borne Diseases
Check for ticks immediately after being outdoors
Wash all clothing
If you find a tick, it must be removed
Grasp the tick with fin tipped and pointed tweezers
Get as close to your skin as possible
Pull slowly and firmly with no twisting
Clean the bite area and apply antibiotic ointment
DO NOT try to burn the tick off your body or apply petroleum jelly to the tick to get it out

20. Mosquitoes & West Nile Virus
WNV is passed on to human by mosquitoes that bite them after feeding on infected birds.
Signs & Symptoms –
High fever
Headache and neck stiffness
Confusion
Coma
Tremors or convulsions
Muscle weakness
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection or vaccine to prevent it.
In severe cases, victims need to go to the hospital for intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing.

21. Spider Bites
The black widow and the brown recluse are the only two spiders than can kill or seriously injure.
Signs & Symptoms for Black Widow Bites -
Sharp pinprick pain followed by a dull pain
Muscle rigidity
Restlessness, anxiety, and sweating
Signs & Symptoms for Brown Recluse Bites –
Little to no initial pain
Blood filled blister that will increase in size and rupture leaving a black scar
Care -
Seek medical care as soon as possible
Wash wound, apply antibiotic cream, bandage and apply cold pack
Antivenin is available for black widow bites

22. Snakes There are four types of poisonous snakes in the U.S:
Rattlesnake
Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Coral snake
Most deaths from snake bites occur because the victim has an allergic reaction or is in poor health, or because too much time passes before the victim receives medical attention.

23. Snake Bites Signs & Symptoms Care – DO NOT: A bite mark
Severe pain and burning at the wound site
Swelling and discoloration at the wound site
Care –
Call 9-1-1
Wash the wound if possible
Apply an elastic bandage to slow the spread of venom through the lymphatic system
Minimize the victim’s movement and keep the injured area lower than the heart
DO NOT:
Apply ice
Cut the wound
Apply suction
Apply a tourniquet
Use electric shock

24. Domestic or Wild Animal Bites
The bite of a domestic or wild animal carries the risk of both soft tissue damage as well as infection.

25. A disease caused by a virus transmitted through the saliva of diseased mammals.
Rabies can be fatal if it is not treated.
Anyone bitten by a wild or domestic animal must seek medical help immediately.
Treating rabies involves a series of vaccine injections to build up immunity.
Rabies

26. Care for Animal Bites
Get the person away from the animal. Do not try to capture the animal.
Care for minor wounds by washing with soap and water and applying antibiotic ointment.
Do not clean a serious wound. Control bleeding and take to a medical facility.
Watch for signals of infection.
Call and tell them as much information as you can about the animal.

27. Marine Life Types of marine life that can sting – Signs & Symptoms
Jellyfish, sea anemone, Portuguese man-of-war
Sting ray, sea urchin, spiny fish
Signs & Symptoms
Possible puncture mark
Pain
Swelling
Signals of alergic reaction

28. Care for Marine Life Stings
Sting from a jellyfish, sea anemone, or Portuguese man-of-war -
Soak the injured part in vinegar as soon as possible, baking soda paste or rubbing alcohol will work as well
Flush it with water as hot as the person can stand it until the pain goes away
Sting from a sting ray, sea urchin, or spiny fish –
Flush the wound with tap water or ocean water
Immobilize the body part and flush it with water as hot as the person can stand it until the pain goes away
Clean the wound and bandage it
Call 911 if
You are unsure of what stung the victim
The victim is having an allergic reaction
The victim is stung in the head, neck, or face

29. Poisonous Plants
Examples of poisonous plants include poison ivy, sumac, and oak.
Care for poisonous plant contact by –
Remove and wash clothing
Wash all parts of your body that came in contact with the oil of the plant
Use a paste made of baking soda and water several times a day if a rash or weeping sore begins to develop
Use of antihistamines may help dry up sores
See a doctor if the condition worsens or involves areas of the face or throat

30. Lightening During thunderstorms – Postpone activities immediately
Designate safe locations and move there at the first sound of thunder
30-30 Rule – when you see lightening, count the time until you hear thunder. If it’s 30 seconds or less the storm is within 6 miles. Seek shelter! Wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving the shelter.
Stay away from plumbing, electrical equipment and wiring during a thunderstorm.

31. Lightening Reach safety by –
Moving downhill
Stay away from open areas (fields)
Seek uniform cover
If boating or swimming, get to land
If lightening is striking nearby and you are out –
Squat in a tight ball on insulating material
Take off anything metal
Do not lay down
Hair on end? Cover your ears, close your eyes and squat!
Stay 15 feet away from other people but stay in sight of each other

32. Lightening Injuries Signals – Care – Unconscious
Dazed, confused behavior
Trouble breathing or no breathing
Burn marks on the skin or other open wounds
Muscle, bone or joint injuries
Care –
Call 9-1-1
Perform CPR if needed
Care for injuries as needed