Effects of heat and cold Flashcards
At what temperature drop will HYPOTHERMIA most likely prove fatal?
26C (but resuscitation has been successful at 10C)
4 types of casualty at increased risk from HYPOTHERMIA
- babies / young children - hypothalamus not fully developed, can catch hypothermia even in a cold room
- elderly / ifirm - produce less body heat, core cools faster
- wet clothing / cold water - water conducts heat away from the body
- improperly clothed in windy conditions
HYPOTHERMIA
- 5 signs + symptoms
- pale, cold skin
- shivering at first, then muscle stiffness
- slowing of body functions (breathing, speech, thought, pulse)
- lethargy, confusion, dizziness (not unlike drunkeness)
- lowered response levels, unconsciousness, death
HYPOTHERMIA
- treatment (unconscious casualty)
(5 things)
- open airway + check breathing, resuscitate if required
- call emergency services
- gently place in recovery position
- blankets around casualty (protect from cold ground, protect head)
- constantly monitor breathing
how can you monitor pulse on a HYPOTHERMIA casualty?
often you can’t, it’s too faint. monitor breathing instead - if breathing normally, can assume heart is beating
HYPOTHERMIA
- 4 DON’TS
- give alcohol (dilutes blood vessels, makes casualty colder)
- place direct source of heat on/next to casualty (draws blood to the skin, dilutes blood pressure, weakens heart)
- warm babies or elderly too quickly (e.g. in a hot bath)
- move too much (risk of ventricular fibrilation leading to cardiac arrest, slightest jolt can induce condition)
HYPOTHERMIA
- treatment (conscious casualty)
(6 things)
- try to warm casualty (replace wet clothing, cover head, find shelter, warm room if indoors)
- use blankets / survival bag if available
- use your body heat to warm casualty
- warm drinks, high energy food (e.g. chocolate)
- seek medical advice for elderly, child or if in doubt
- if severe, call emergency services
extra considerations for HYPOTHERMIA, especially elderly
there could be another underlying condition you need to treat (e.g. stroke, heart attack, underactive thyroid)
FROSTBITE
- 4 signs or symptoms
- pins + needles, followed by numbness
- hardening + stiffening of the skin
- skin colour change: white to blue to black
- on recovery: injury becomes hot, red, blistered, painful
FROSTBITE
- treatment
(5 things)
- GENTLY remove rings + watches
- stop freezing becoming worse (if still outside) by holding limb under their arm or in your hands
- place injury in warm water (test temperature with elbow, not your cold hand)
- adult can take two paracetamol for pain
- take to hospital
FROSTBITE
- 3 DON’TS
- rub affected area (can cause damage)
- use direct or dry heat to warm injury
- re-warm injury if there’s a chance of re-freezing (move somewhere warm first)
HEAT EXHAUSTION
- 6 signs + symptoms
- confusion, dizziness
- pale, sweaty skin
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting
- fast, weak pulse + breathing
- cramps in arms, legs, abdomen
- may say they feel ‘cold’ but will be hot to touch
HEAT EXHAUSTION
- treatment
(5 things)
- take casualty to cool place
- remove excessive clothing
- lay casualty down
- rehydrate (plenty of water, Dioralyte, isotonic drinks)
- obtain medical advice (even if quick recovery)
HEAT EXHAUSTION
- treatment if condition worsens
(4 things)
- place in recovery position
- monitor breathing
- call emergency services
- treat for HEAT STROKE
HEAT STROKE
- 8 signs + symptoms
- severe confusion + restlessness
- flushed, hot, dry skin (NO SWEATING)
- strong, fast pulse
- throbbing headache
- dizziness
- nausea, vomiting
- reduced response levels, to unconsciousness
- possible seizures if unconscious
