Environmental Illness & Injury
when someone becomes very cold and their core body temperature drops so low that it stops functioning properly.
What is Hypothermia?
Hot, Normal mental status – oriented to person, place and time, Nausea, headache, Restlessness, weakness, disorientation, Skin: sweating, Pulse: weak, rapid Respiration: shallow, rapid
What are signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion?
Victim has been in a hot environment, Skin: sweating, Pain and spasms in muscles (particularly in the legs and stomach), Fatigue, dizziness, headache, Nausea, Shock
What are signs and symptoms of abdominal and leg heat cramps?
Shivering, feeling cold Loss of coordination, Fatigue, Slurred speech, Stumbling, loss of muscular coordination, Shock
What are Mild signs and symptoms of hypothermia?
White, waxy look to the affected area, Pain, Loss of feeling, numbness, Altered sensation, such as burning or pins and needles, Skin starts out soft and progressively becomes hard to the touch, Joints stiffen
What are signs and symptoms of frostbite?
result of excess heat and dehydration. The body loses salt and water faster than it can replace them through food and drink.
What are heat cramps?
Body temperature rises rapidly, Vomiting, convulsions, unconsciousness
What are signs and symptoms of heatstroke?
Pain in the muscle that has been working or exercising, Muscle twitching or spasms
What are signs and symptoms of muscle cramps from overuse?
Uncontrollable shivering, Disorientation, confusion, lapses in memory, may appear intoxicated, Decreased consciousness, Blurred vision and hallucinations
What are the Moderate signs and symptoms of Hypothermia?
Remove the victim from the cold environment, Reheat the affected area, Do not rub the area that appears frozen, and do not apply snow, Keep the injury warm and ensure it does not become frozen again. Do not apply chemical warmers directly on frostbitten tissue. Apply a loose, dry dressing to protect the injury, Advise victim to seek medical assistance.
What is treament of frostbite?
occurs when the body’s ability to regulate its temperature fails and the body temperature rises dangerously.
What is Heatstroke?
Move to a cool spot out of the hot environment. Cool the victim gradually (remove as much clothing as possible, bathe with cool water, fan). Cover lightly if victim feels cold, If the victim is alert and nausea is not a big problem, give them water to drink, Advise victim to eat well or consume "sport" drinks to restore depleted body salt, Phone EMS if the victim’s level of consciousness is decreased.
What are treatments of heat exhaustion?
Move to a cool spot out of the hot environment, remove excess clothing, Give the victim cool water to drink, Stretch the cramp
What are treatments of heat cramps? pt1
Shivering reduced or absent, An overwhelming desire to sleep, Loss of consciousness
What are the Severe signs and symptoms of Hypothermia?
With body heat (e.g., put frostbitten fingers under the armpits, or cup the frostbitten face or ears in the hands). Or, immerse the affected body part in warm (comfortable to touch) water for 20–30 minutes until the body part is red and warm. The ideal water temperature is 37–40° Celsius.
What is reheating the frostbitten area?
reaction to sustained heat and sweating. If left untreated, can progress into life-threatening heatstroke.
What is heat exhaustion?
Phone EMS. This is a life-threatening emergency, Move to a cool spot out of the hot environment, Cool victim down as quickly as possible: cool the body core – head, neck, chest, back, groin
What are treatments of Heatstroke?
Advise the victim to eat foods that will help restore normal body salt, Stretch the muscle (slowly lengthen the muscle fibers), Gently massage along the length of the muscle.
What are treatments of cramps? pt2
Remove victim to a dry, sheltered place, Handle gently (avoid jolting or rough handling), Do not rub the victim's body surfaces, If possible, remove wet clothing and dry victim, Warm the victim's body.
What is Treatment of Hypothermia?
In cold weather, the best approach is to watch your friends and have them watch you for little white spots on the face. Check every 10 or 15 minutes. Also pay attention to how your feet (or other susceptible body parts) are feeling. If you cannot feel a body part, and have been in the cold for a long time, return to a warm place and complete a visual check.
What is the prevention of frostbite?
describes frozen parts of the body. It is a progressive injury with two stages.
What is frostbite?
Removing outer layer of victim’s clothing, Wrapping the victim in wet sheets, Sponging with or immersing in shallow, cool water, Fanning their body, Applying ice packs or cold compresses to head, armpits, groin and along the sides of the chest
What is how to cool the body core after heatstroke?
Giving warm beverages (no alcohol) if the victim is alert, Wrapping victim in warm blankets, Getting into the huddle position, Applying heat packs to head, neck and trunk
What is how to warm victims body?