Is it hot in here?
What is the predominant symptom of the mildest form of heat illness?
Cramps
Most important exam when assessing an alert and oriented patient after a diving injury
Neurologic (PMS)
A drowning victim has a GCS of
3 (dead)
This occurs during the first minute of sudden cold-water immersion and often causes involuntary gasping.
cold shock response
Pediatric AED pads are used on pediatric patients until when?
age 8
What symptom/sign predominantly distinguishes heat exhaustion from heat stroke?
AMS/confusion/ALOC
2 mechanisms of action for spinal injuries when diving
Axial loading and hyperflexion
The first rule of water rescue
SCENE SAFETY (don't become a victim)
According to the 1-10-1 rule, approximately how long after cold water immersion will muscle failure ensue?
10 minutes
AVIATION!!
Name 3 active cooling methods
1. Ice bath
2. Air conditioning
3. Cold packs
Name 3 key features of neurogenic shock
hypotension, bradycardia, warm skin
A fun phrase we use to refer to the steps of water rescue
Reach, throw, row, go
You are preventing what complication by handling a hypothermic patient gently?
Cardiac arrhythmias
Name 2 absolute contraindications for traction-splinting as mid-shaft femur fracture
open fracture, BL fractures
Name three places a cool pack should be placed on a person's body to facilitate body temperature reduction.
Neck, axilla, groin
What are 3 specific questions you can ask a patient regarding their symptoms to help determine if a spinal cord injury is present?
urinary incont, bowel incont, saddle anesthesia, extremity N/T, weakness
Name 4 items you should initially take from the ambulance for a reported drowning
red bag, airway bag, suction, AED/LUCAS
You arrive as a MA ambulance to the Massapequa waterfront where a man was pulled from the water after bystanders saw him struggling to stay afloat. Your patient is unresponsive, apneic, and is found pulseless after checking the carotid for 10 seconds. His body is blue and cold. What is your next step?
Check the carotid pulse for no more than 60s seconds before initiating CPR
You should look for this physical exam sign on a patient's thorax who is displaying signs & symptoms of shock after being involved in a high-speed head-on motor vehicle accident as the restrained passenger.
seat-belt sign
What is the most important potential complication of heat stroke to address in your primary assessment?
RESPIRATORY STATUS
Name 4 reasons to put a C-collar on someone
AMS, intox, distracting injury, c-spine tenderness, neurologic deficit and/or high index of suspicion
You arrive on scene to a residential backyard with a pool. There is a 2-year-old child with his parents present. The mother is rubbing the child's back and he coughs intermittently. The parents state the child was under the surface for about 5-10 seconds before they pulled him out. The parents state they called 911 because the child coughed up water and was crying, but now he is calm and they just want to make sure his vital signs are okay. They do not want to go to the hospital. You obtain vitals which are WNL and examine lung sounds which are clear. The parents appreciate your time and are adamant about refusing care. What is your next step?
Explain to the parents the risks of near-drowning, and if they still refuse, contact medical control for a high-risk RMA
Name 3 arrhythmias that may complicate a hypothermic patient
bradycardia, a-fib, VT/VF
What is my favorite color?
Green!