Cold Injuries
What’s frostbite?
Freezing of tissue when exposed to temperatures below zero degrees celsius
What is the main cause of radiation burns?
Prolonged exposure to the sun, most commonly occuring at the beach
What’s the difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia?
Hyperglycemia has too much sugar and too little insulin
Hypoglycemia has too little sugar and too much insulin
What’s the main difference between angina and heart attack?
Angina only allows a small amount of blood to reach the heart while a heart attack doesn’t allow any blood whatsoever to reach the heart
Name the acronym for a casualty who’s experiencing a stroke/TIA?
F: Facial Droop
A: Arm Drift
S: Slurred Speech
T: Time
What’s one main difference between superficial and deep frostbite?
Firm but soft underneath vs. frozen to the bone
White, waxy skin vs. blue/grey, waxy skin
What are the four types of heat burns?
Electrical burns, heat burns, chemical burns and radiation burns
How would you treat a diabetic attack?
Give a sugary substance to the casualty if they are hypoglycemic or help them administer their insulin if they’re hyperglycemic
How many times can we administer aspirin and nitroglycerin?
Only once for aspirin and three times for nitroglycerin
How many triangular bandages are needed for an upper leg fracture and where are they placed?
Seven: Chest, waist, above, below, knee, shin and ankle
Name three symptoms of superficial frostbite?
White and waxy skin, numbness, pain, firm but soft underneath
What is the main symptom that indicates that an electrical burn has occurred?
Entry and exit wound found somewhere around the body along with dark/charred skin on each both parts
What are three symptoms of hyperglycemia?
Fruity/nail polish smelling breath, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, dry mouth, confusion, irritability
Who is most vulnerable to heart diseases/ conditions such as heart attack and angina?
People with a low activity lifestyle, high fat diet, unbalanced meals (protein), genetic disorders
What do we do to an inhaler before administering it to the casualty?
Shake the puffer for a few seconds to ensure that the medicine and propellent inside mixes properly
What’s the treatment for hypothermia?
Remove them from the cold environment (ESM)
Prevent heat loss: Cover exposed skin, remove wet clothing, protect the casualty from the wind if unable to move indoors, and insulate the casualty with a blanket (Prim Survey)
Recovery position (Casualty Care)
What are four signs & symptoms among the different degrees of burns?
First Degree: Skin colour is pink to red, dry skin, slight swelling
Second Degree: Skin looks raw, blisters, skin is moist and ranges from white to cherry in colour
Third Degree: Skin is tan coloured, pearly white or completely black/charred, skin is dry and leathery, may see blood vessels or bone, no pain since the nerves are destroyed
What’s the main difference between type I and type II diabetes?
Type I diabetes is inherited based on genetics while type II diabetes develops over time from an unbalanced diet, little to no exercise, etc.
What is the main difference between the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and angina?
Angina: Burning/Cramping pain in the chest, shortness of breath
Heart Attack: Pressured/Squeezing pain in the chest
Why do we elevate the injury when it comes to deadly bleeding in the acronym RED?
To reduce the amount of blood that flows to the wound as it is elevated above the heart, thus allowing the bleeding to stop at a faster rate the longer in which the wound is elevated
Why do we fill a tub with warm water instead of extremely hot water to help treat deep frostbite?
Immediately submerging the casualty into hot water after a prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can result in immense pain and shock
How would you treat a chemical burn with the chemical powder still intact on the casualty’s body?
Wipe the chemicals away from the casualty with a non-stick gauze or cloth
Flush the area with cool water for 15-20 mins
Pat dry the affected area and cover with non-stick gauze along with tape to secure the gauze
How does administering insulin or giving something sugary help the casualty during a diabetic attack?
The sugar or insulin helps stabilize their glucose levels, whether it be critically low or high in sugar concentration
What does nitroglycerin do to the body when treating a heart attack or angina?
The nitroglycerin helps widen the blood vessel so that blood can reach the heart to prevent further tissue damage
How long do we hold the EpiPen in the thigh and what do you do after the EpiPen has been effectively used?
Hold the EpiPen in place for about three (counting to three) seconds and release
Massage the affected area for ten seconds afterward to evenly distribute the medicine throughout your body