Environmental Emergencies Bites and Stings Heat Related Cold Related Emergencies

Animal and Human Bites May be minor but if skin breaks it can become infected from germs of the bitters mouth Stay away from the animal

Action Steps Scene is safe-first aid kit-PPE Animal bites- activate ERS Clean wound with lots of running water Stop bleeding with pressure For bruising or swelling place ice and water bag on bite for 20 min. ** may carry rabies- cat, dog, skunk, raccoon, fox, bat

Snakebites Helpful to identify the snake Always assume it is poisonous Signs of a poisonous snakebite: pain that keeps getting worse, Swelling in bite area, nausea, sweating vomiting

Action steps Scene is safe-first aid kit-PPE Move any other person inside away from area and activate ERS Have bitten person to remain calm. Avoid moving body part Remove tight clothing or jewelry Gently wash with running water-- soap if available

Insect, Bee and Spider bites and stings Some bites may be serious and even fatal if person has a severe allergic reaction or poison is injected

Action Steps Scene is safe-first aid kit-PPE Call 911 if severe and use Epipen if available Wash bite or sting area with a lot of running water Put a bag of ice water in a towel or cloth for up to 20 minutes Be sure to use something flat to remove a stinger-DO NOT Squeeze

Someone has been bitten by an insect or bee may have an allergic reaction and should be watched for at least how long

30 Minutes

Review Time When someone has a bite be sure to wash the bite area with lots of soap and water True or false

True

Heat Related Emergencies Heat Cramps- Mostly caused by vigorous exercise Action Steps: rest and cool off Drink something with sugar or electrolyte May resume exercise after they go away May also stretch, ice or massage

Heat exhaustion Serious condition that can turn into heat stroke Occurs from exercising in extreme heat and sweats a lot. Signs: sweating, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, muscle cramps, feeling, faint and fatigue

Action Steps Scene is safe-first aid kit-PPE Phone 911 activate ERS Lay person down in a cool place Remove as much of the persons clothing as possible Cool person with cool water spray or place cool damp cloths on neck, armpit, and groin areas Drink fluids- sugar or electrolyte

Heat Stroke Very serious condition Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) Need to act quickly Life threatening

Action Steps Scene is safe-first aid kit-PPE Phone or ask someone to call 911 Put person in cool water, up to neck if possible Assess for CPR Give CPR if needed

Review Time Heat Stroke is Life threatening condition True or false

True

Cold Related Emergencies Frost bite-affect parts of the body such as fingers, toes, nose, and ears. Signs- white, waxy or grayish-yellow cold and numb, hard and skin doesn’t move when you push it.

Action Steps Move person to a warm place Phone 911 or ask someone to Remove tight clothing and jewelry from frost bitten part Remove wet clothing and pat body dry. Put dry clothes on the person and cover with a blanket Do not try to thaw the frozen part

Low Body Temperature Hypothermia Occurs when body temperature falls Serious condition that can cause death Shivering protects the body by producing heat Signs: Cool to touch Shivering Confused or drowsy Skin become ice cold and blue May stop responding and breathing slows May appear dead

Action Steps Get person out of cold Remove wet clothing and pat body dry. Put dry clothes on the person and cover with a blanket Phone 911, get first aid kit and AED Wrap the person up with anything you have-clothing, towels, newspapers etc Cover head but not face- may place person near a heat source Assess person for CPR, give if needed

Review Time Being confused may be a symptom of heat stroke and low body temperature True or False

True