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Section 6: Heat- and Cold-Related
Illness and Injury
Heat
Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Extended exposure to hot, humid environment can overwhelm
the body's ability to cool Itself down The two main illnesses
are heat exhaustion and heat stroke It is Important to recognize
and to treat the symptoms of heat Illness early to prevent
a victim from progressing to heat stroke. If
the victim is unresponsive or has an altered mental status,
alert EMS or your Emergency Action Plan immediately. Begin
immediate cooling with any resources available
Illness/condition
Description
Signs and Symptoms
First Aid
Heat Exhaustion
Body temperature usually less than
104 degrees F. (40 C )
Develops when the body encounters
high temperatures It is not used to.
Can look like many other common illnesses.
Early
Heavy sweating
Thirsty
Minor muscle “twitches” that progress to painful
cramping.
Later
Pale, cool and moist skin
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Weak, dizzy
Feels faint or collapses
Assess, Alert, and Attend to the ABCs
Responsive (awake, able to swallow)
Have the victim lie down in a shady
cool place.
Loosen or remove excess clothing.
Give cool sports drinks (such as Gatorade) to replace lost
fluid, salts and minerals. If not available, give cool water.
Apply cool, wet cloths to the victim’s skin.
Use a fan to lower the body temperature.
Place cold compresses on the victims neck, groin and armpits.
Heat Stroke
Body Temperature in excess of 105 degrees F. (40 C.)
Heat stroke is a true life-threatening medical emergency
Severe injury from high body temperature.
May cause permanent damage to organs, including brain and
spinal cord.
Any or all of the above symptoms along
with:
Altered mental status (confusion, hallucinations, bizarre
behavior)
Hot, red, dry, skin or heavy sweating
Seizure
Unconsciousness
Assess, Alert, and Attend to the ABCs
Begin cooling with any resources available
Spray or pour water on the victim and fan them
Apply ice packs to the victim’s neck, groin and armpits
and/or cover the victim with a wet sheet.
Place the victim on his or her side in the Recovery position
to protect the airway
Provide continuous cooling until EMS arrives.
With rapid cooling and medical treatment, survival rate approaches
90%
DO NOT under-estimate the
seriousness of heat illness, especially if the person is a
child or the elderly.
DO NOT give the victim anything
by mouth if vomiting or unconscious.
When Caring for Children and Older
Persons
Young children and the elderly with
chronic diseases (or those who cannot get out of the heat)
are at great risk for heat stroke and death.
First Aid treatment is the same in all heat emergencies, cool
the victim down!
Prevention
When working in the heat, take rest periods in a cool environment
and drink plenty of fluids.
NEVER leave
a child alone in a motor vehicle In the heat, even to run
a quick errand. The passenger compartment can quickly turn
into a fatal oven.
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