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Risk factor for Heat Illness
Medical conditions (Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, skin conditions, infections)
Environment
Drugs & Toxins
Body temperature for someone in hypothermia
Less than 95 degrees F
The freezing of skin involving deeper tissues
Frostbite
Best Method for Oral Hydration
Diluted electrolyte drinks
Encourage drinking more water prior excursion
Effective Tools for Rewarming Hypothermia
Body Heat
Heat to armpits, groin, chest, back, neck - never direct skin
Limited movement - IF appropriate
Warm air
Hypowrap
5 S/S of Dehydration
Headache, thirst, dark urine, decreased urination.
Dry mouth, lethargy, weakness, dizziness.
Lack of sweating, sunken eyes, shriveled/dry skin, high HR, fever, delerium, unconscious.
5 S/S of Hypothermia
Shivering, pale and cold skin.
Confusion, ataxia, disorientation, uncontrollable shivering, frequent urination, increased vitals
Severe confusion, absence of shivering, dilated pupils, rigidity, decreased vitals
Deep coma, fixed and dilated pupils, rigidity, LOW pulse (10-20 bpm), appears dead
Injury that occurs as a result of several days exposure to water at non-freezing temperatures
Immersion "Trench" Foot
Acclimatization
Heat - 7-10 days
Describe Evaporative Cooling
Loosening restrictive clothing, pouring water on the skin, fanning the patient to increase airflow to cool patient.
Common Illnesses and Injuries
Dehydration, Heat Cramps, Syncope (passing out), Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke
True or False: Perform CPR on a Severe Hypothermic patient?
True
Patient is experiencing lightheadness, fatigue, nausea, headache, profuse sweating, and excessive thirst...what illness is this?
Heat Exhaustion
Best Prevention for Cold Injury
PROPER PREPARATION and LAYERS
Remove from elements
Warm and sugary foods/beverages
True or False: Thawing a frostbit is an effective method to prevent further injury.
False
Conduction (physical contact)
Convection (transfer throught movement of air or water across skin)
Radiation (electromagnetic waves)
Evaporation (conversion of water to gas)
Time of decision to stop field treatment
Patient is experiencing severe confusion, absence of shivering, dilated pupils, rigidity, and decreased vital signs
Moderate Hypothermia
Other conditions that are similar to Hypothermia
Hypoglycemia
HACE - high altitude cerebral edema (swelling of brain at high altitude)
Most effective treatment for Heat Stroke
Cold-water immersion
The main difference between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke.
Altered Mental Status and Sweating
The main difference between Mild and Moderate Hypothermia
Mental Status and Shivering
Describe the differing degrees of frostbite.
First - numbness, pale, yellow, swelling
Second - deeper layers of skin, pale, white, numbness, milky-fluid blistering, swelling
Thrid - complete freezing, pale, white, numbness, blood-filled blisters, swelling
Fourth - deep tissues, including muscles, tendons, bone, pale, white, numb, feels like a "chunk of wood", pain, redness, swelling bluish discoloration with lesions over time
Clothing for Extreme Conditions
Heat - loose, light-colored clothing, damp or wet
Cold - dry, several layers
Illnesses and Injuries that Require Evacuation
Heat - Heat Stroke/Exhaustion
Cold - Moderate to Severe Hypothermia, All Frostbite