# Presentation: 274542

## Hot & Cold Weather Injuries & Emergencies

- Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

## Progression of Heat Injuries

- Heat Cramps
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Stroke

## Heat Cramps

- Symptoms
- Severe muscle cramps
- General Weakness
- Dizziness and fainting

- Treatment
- Move to a cool shady place
- Electrolyte drinks
- Massage the cramped area
- Apply moist towels to the cramped muscle and the patient’s forehead
- Transport the person to a medical care facility if symptoms worsen

## Heat Exhaustion

- Symptoms
- Rapid and shallow breathing
- Weak pulse
- Cold and clammy skin
- Heavy perspiration
- Weakness and dizziness

- Treatment
- Move to a cool shady place
- Remove enough clothing to cool the patient
- Fan the patient’s skin to promote sweat evaporation
- If conscious provide electrolyte drinks
- Treat for shock and transport to a medical care facility

## Heat Stroke

- Symptoms
- Deep breathing becoming progressively more shallow
- Rapid strong pulse becoming weaker
- Dry and hot skin
- Unconsciousness, seizures, and muscular twitching
- Dilated pupils

- Treatment
- Remove the person from any heat sources and remove clothing
- Immerse the patient in cool water, or use cold wet towels or ice packs on the patient’s armpits, groin, under the neck, and behind the knees
- Treat for shock and transport the patient to a medical care facility

## Heat Stress Prevention

- Drink plenty of water per day
- 2 quarts minimum on mild days
- 6 to 8 quarts on hot days or 1 quart an hour
- Frequent sipping is better than guzzling
- Monitor the color of your urine
- Wear loose fitting and open clothing
- Do not overexert yourself
- Use the buddy system
- Don’t be afraid to stop, rest and drink

**Notes:**
There are several guides available on hydration requirements in relation to the amount of work done.

## Cold Weather Injuries

- Frostbite
- Early stage
- Later stage
- Hypothermia
- Early stage
- Later stage

## Early Stage Frostbite

- Symptoms
- Skin turns from red to white and waxy
- Numbness in the affected area

- Treatment
- Warm the affected area using body heat
- DO NOT massage a frostbitten body part

## Later Stage Frostbite

- Symptoms
- Skin turns mottled o blotchy, then yellow, and finally greyish-blue

- Treatment
- Transport the patient to a medical care facility immediately
- DO NOT massage a frostbitten body part

## Early Stage Hypothermia

- Symptoms
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Numbness

- Treatment
- Keep the patient warm and dry
- Remove wet clothing
- Warm the central body before the extremities to keep blood from flowing away from the major organs

## Later Stage Hypothermia

- Symptoms
- Drowsiness
- Inability to perform simple actions
- Slow pulse and breathing rate
- Failing eyesight and a “glassy stare”
- Unconsciousness

- Treatment
- All treatment steps for early hypothermia
- Handle the patient gently and place in a head-down position
- Transport the patient to medical care immediately

## Cold Injury Prevention

- Cover all extremities by using gloves, wool socks, knits hats, etc.
- Dress in layers
- Choose clothing that will trap air pockets yet allow moisture to pass through
- Avoid getting wet
- Change clothing when it is wet or dirty
- Identify personnel with a history of cold weather injuries, and watch them carefully
- Use the buddy system

## Hot & Cold Weather Injuries Tasks

- O-0003: Prevent and Treat Hot Weather Injuries
- O-0004: Prevent and Treat Cold Weather Injuries

## QUESTIONS?