Heat Illness Prevention and Protection Lawrence L. Lambert, EMT-P Acadian Integrated Services

Risk of Heat Stress Rise in body temp and heart rate Rise in body temp and heart rate Loss of concentration and difficulty in focusing Loss of concentration and difficulty in focusing Little or no desire to drink Little or no desire to drink Fainting and possible death if the person is not removed from heat source Fainting and possible death if the person is not removed from heat source

Heat Illness Prevention Drink plenty of water Drink plenty of water An individual can produce 2 -3 gallon of sweat per day An individual can produce 2 -3 gallon of sweat per day If you or a coworker feel symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness or unusual fatigue; notify your supervisor and seek medical care “PRN” If you or a coworker feel symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness or unusual fatigue; notify your supervisor and seek medical care “PRN”

Heat Illness Prevention Coming back from and extended break ie. 14 days; you are more vulnerable to heat stress. Coming back from and extended break ie. 14 days; you are more vulnerable to heat stress. It can take up to 5 -7 days to reacclimatize It can take up to 5 -7 days to reacclimatize Pay close attention to coworkers during periods of extreme heat Pay close attention to coworkers during periods of extreme heat

Heat Illness Prevention In order to replenish that fluid loss you should drink up to 24 oz’s of water per hour starting at the beginning of your shift In order to replenish that fluid loss you should drink up to 24 oz’s of water per hour starting at the beginning of your shift Take breaks in cool shaded areas Take breaks in cool shaded areas Avoid use of alcohol and caffeine during periods of extreme heat. Both dehydrate the body. Avoid use of alcohol and caffeine during periods of extreme heat. Both dehydrate the body.

How can you reduce the risk of heat stress? Drink water Drink water Recognize the symptoms of heat stress Recognize the symptoms of heat stress Provide first aid to heat emergencies Provide first aid to heat emergencies Notify first responders and medics when available Notify first responders and medics when available Slow your work pace Slow your work pace Wear appropriate clothing Wear appropriate clothing Sunscreen Hats Dark eye protetion Be aware of older workers Be aware of older workers

Heat Exhaustion Headache Headache Clammy and moist Clammy and moist Body temperature are normal to slightly elevated Body temperature are normal to slightly elevated

Heat Exhaustion Results of loss of fluid through sweating and not replacing fluids Results of loss of fluid through sweating and not replacing fluids Weakness and fatigue Weakness and fatigue Nausea Nausea

Treatment of Heat Exhaustion Move victim to cool place Move victim to cool place Drink water and/or an electrolyte solution such as Gatorade or similar sports drink Drink water and/or an electrolyte solution such as Gatorade or similar sports drink In cases where victim begins to vomit seek appropriate medical care In cases where victim begins to vomit seek appropriate medical care Cool, wet towels to heat regulatory receptors Cool, wet towels to heat regulatory receptors

Heat Stroke The most serious health problem for workers in a hot environment The most serious health problem for workers in a hot environment Body temperature can reach 106 Degrees or higher Body temperature can reach 106 Degrees or higher

Heat Stroke Hot, dry skin may be red, mottled or bluish Hot, dry skin may be red, mottled or bluish Mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness or coma Mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness or coma

Treatment of Heat Stroke Advanced and definitive medical care is essential and should be summoned ASAP Advanced and definitive medical care is essential and should be summoned ASAP While waiting for medical care to arrive: While waiting for medical care to arrive: Move victim to cool area Move victim to cool area Soak clothes with COOL water Soak clothes with COOL water Fan vigorously to increase cooling Fan vigorously to increase cooling

Heat Cramps Painful spasms of the muscles caused by the body’s loss of salt

Treatment of Heat Cramps Drink electrolyte fluids Drink electrolyte fluids In severe cramping seek medical care In severe cramping seek medical care

Over the Counter Medications Many former prescription drugs are now available without a prescription Many former prescription drugs are now available without a prescription Certain drugs should not be mixed Certain drugs should not be mixed Take as directed…. Continue for a couple doses after you feel like you need them Take as directed…. Continue for a couple doses after you feel like you need them

Over the Counter Medications Not all drugs work the same in different people Not all drugs work the same in different people Symptom specific Symptom specific Take advantage of professional advice – Doctor, Pharmacist and/or Medic Take advantage of professional advice – Doctor, Pharmacist and/or Medic