1. Heat Exposure Heat Exposure Heat Cramps Heat Strokes Heat Exhaustion

2. Heat Exposure Exposure to excessive can produce serious health conditions. 3 Common Emergencies brought about by exposure to excessive heat 1.Heat Exhaustion 2.Heat Cramps 3.Heat Stroke

3. Heat Exhaustion Can occur when a person in poor physical condition exerts himself/herself during physical activity in a very hot environment, cuasing blood flow to be affected. Signs and symptoms 1.Rapid and shallow breathing 2.Weak pulse 3.Cold and clammy skin, with heavy perspiration 4.Sometimes the skin appears pale 5.Total body weakness 6.Dizziness, sometimes leading to unconsciousness

4. Emergency Care Move the Patient to a nearby cool place Keep the patient at rest Remove enough clothing to cool the patient without chilling him/her Give patient salted water to drink or half- strength commercial electrolyte fluids. Do not administer fluids to unconscious patient Provide care for shock, but do not cover to the point of overheating the patient If unconscious, fails to recover rapidly, has injuries or a history of medical problems, make certain that dispatch is informed of need for immediate transport

5. Heat Cramps Consists of pains and muscle spasms that occur when the body loses a large quantity of salt through excessive sweating. Signs and symptoms 1.Severe muscle cramps, usually in the legs and the abdomen 2.Exhaustion, often to the point of collapse 3.Sometimes dizziness or periods of faintness

6. Emergency Care Move the Patient to a nearby cool place Give patient salted water to drink or half- strength commercial electrolyte fluids Apply warm moist towels over cramped muscles for added relief Alert EMS dispatch

7. Heat Stroke A very serious life –threatening condition. The body becomes overheated and, in many cases, the patient stops sweating. If left untreated, brain cells will begin to die. Signs and symptoms 1.Deep rapid breathing. 2.Rapid, strong pulse, followed by a rapid, weak pulse 3.Dry, hot skin (sometimes red in color) 4.Dilated pupils. 5.Loss of consciousness – the patient may go into coma 6.Convulsions or muscular twitching may be seen

8. Emergency Care Cool the patient in any manner, rapidly. Move patient out of the sun or away from heat source. Remove the clothing. Wrap wet towels or sheets. Pour cold water over wrappings. Body heat must lower rapidly or the brain cells will die! Wrap cold packs or ice bags, if available, and place one under each armpit, each wrist, each ankle and each side of patient’s neck If transport is delayed, find tub or container. Immerse patient up to face in cooled water. Monitor in order to prevent drowning Monitor vital signs throughout process Care for shock

9. Cold Emergencies Cold Emergencies Frostbite Hypothermia

10. When cooling affects the entire body, this causes a condition known as hypothermia, or generalized cooling. Hypothermia can develop in temperatures well above freezing. Signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia 1.Shivering 2.Feelings of numbness 3.Rapid breathing 4.Failing eyesight 5.Drowsiness 6.Chills

11. Emergency Care for Mild Hypothermia Do patient survey and interviews to determine the extent of the problem Keep the patient dry Use heat to raise patient’s body temperature. Move the patient to a nearby warm environment, if at all possible. Constant monitoring is necessary for unconscious patients. Do not warm the patient quickly. If the patients remains alert, give warm liquids. Do not administer alcoholic beverages.

12. Severe Hypothermia Signs and symptoms 1.Unresponsiveness 2.Slowed respirations 3.Slowed pulse 4.Absence of shivering 5.Muscular rigidity

13. Emergency Care for Severe Hypothermia Do patient survey and interviews to determine the extent of the problem Keep the patient dry Use heat to raise patient’s body temperature. Move the patient to a nearby warm environment, if at all possible. Constant monitoring is necessary for unconscious patients. Do not warm the patient quickly. If the patients remains alert, give warm liquids. Do not administer alcoholic beverages.

14. Frostbite This type of injury consists of the freezing or near freezing of a body part usually the toes, fingers, face, nose and ears. Onset is slow, but can occur quickly under high wind conditions. Signs and symptoms 1.Loss of sensation to the affected area. 2.Affected area of the skin becomes white and waxen. 3.Dark skin will turn pale. 4.Sometimes the area become swollen and blistered.

15. Emergency Care If you suspect hypothermia, treat it first before treating for frostbite( life before limb). Remove the patient from the cold environment. Do not allow the patient to walk on a frozen limb. Protect the frozen area from further injury and refreezing. For an injured extremity, stabilize. Dry the affected area and apply a clean bandage.