Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

What is thermoregulation?

Answer 1

Body’s ability to maintain desire body core temp

Question 2

How does Radiation help?

Answer 2

only effective when skin temp> environment

Question 3

How does conduction contribute?

Answer 3

transfer heat b/w solids and/or liquids

Question 4

How does convection contribute?

Answer 4

heat transfer to air current moving about body

Question 5

How does Evaporation help?

Answer 5

most effective means of heat loss for almost all’

most effective wat to maintain safe body temp while exercising;

prolonged sweating leads to loss of body fluids which can cause dehydration and or heat illness

Question 6

Heat Illnesses

Answer 6

Hyperthermia

Heat cramps

Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke

Question 7

Heat Cramps

Answer 7

Muscle spasms related to excessive loss of water and several electrolytes

Imbalance of essential elements in muscle contraction result in painful muscle contractions and cramps

Question 8

How do you manage cramps?

Answer 8

Adequate replacement of fluids

Mild prolonged stretching with ice massage

Salt tablets

Salting food

Cramping is likely to reoccur**

Question 9

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Answer 9

Occurs when you fail to replace fluids and salt lost through evaporation

Mild hyperthermia rectal temp <104 F

NO evidence of CNS dysfuction

Question 10

Signs and Symptoms of heat exhaustion?

Answer 10

Profuse sweating

Dizziness

Nausea

Headache

Rapid Pulse

Cool clammy pale skin

Question 11

Heat exhaustion management

Answer 11

Remove from play and taken to cool place

Remove excess clothing/equipment

Have pt lie down with legs elevated

Rectal to <101F

Rehydrate with water or sports drink

Monitor vitals

Question 12

What is a heat stroke?

Answer 12

A medical emergency: body is basically shutting down

CNS abnormalities and potential tissue damage

Loses ability to dissipate heat

Question 13

Signs and Symptoms of Heat stroke?

Answer 13

Raised body temp >104F

Hot, red, dry skin

Strong fast pulse

Shallow, fast respiration

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Mental delirium

Sudden collapse

Question 14

How to treat Heat Stroke?

Answer 14

Medical emergency

Cool pt ASAP

• move to shade
• whole body cooling
• remove clothing and equipment
• ice pack, towels

Fluids–> electrolyte solutions, water

Question 15

Heat syncope

Answer 15

Rapid physical fatigue during overexposure to heat

Pooling of blood in extremities leading to dizziness, fainting, and nausea

Replenish fluids put in cool area and lie down

Question 16

How to prevent heat illnesses

Answer 16

Gradually acclimatize to environment

Provide fluids-increase intake of Ca, Na, K

Provide adequate rest and opportunity for cooling

Lightweight clothing

Educate coaches

Screen those with past hx heat illness

Weight record chart

Question 17

What are some Cold illnesses?

Answer 17

Hypothermia

Frost Nip

Frostbite

Question 18

What is the triad that lead to cold illness?

Answer 18

inadequate clothing

improper warm-up

high chill factor

Question 19

Frost Nip

Answer 19

Exposure to a damp, freezing cold–common with high wind

Happens in: ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers, toes

May peel or blister 24-72 hrs

skin appears firm and cold, painless areas

Question 20

How to treat frost nip?

Answer 20

Firm, sustained pressure of the hand (rubbing) by blowing hot breath on the spot

Question 21

What is frostbite?

Answer 21

Chilblains result from exposure to dry temp well below freezing for many hrs

Below freezing temp may cause ice crystals to form beneath or w/in the cells

Local caps can be injured, blood clots may form, blood may be shunted away from injury to ensure survival of the nonaffected tissue

Question 22

What characterizes superficial frostbite?

Answer 22

involves only the skin and subcutaneous tissue

skin appears pale, hard, cold, and waxy

palpation reveals sense of hardness but w/yielding of underlying deep tissue

When rewarming will first feel numb then will sting and burn

Question 23

What characterizes deep frostbite?

Answer 23

indicates tissues are frozen

medical emergency

tissue is initially cold, hard, pale, white, and numb

rapid rewarming is required

-skin will become blotchy red, swollen, extremely painful

Question 24

How do you prevent frostbite?

Answer 24

proper clothing layers–fabric that allows sweat to evaporate

googles, face masks,

replace fluids regularly-dehydration

Question 25

Two types of heat/humidity indicators

Answer 25

Sling pschrometer

Digital psychormeter

Question 26

What are activity restriction levels?

Answer 26

<78-normal activity

82. 1-86.0-use discretion in planning intense exercises limit to 2.5 hrs outside
83. 1-89.9-stop outdoor px

>90 cancel outdoor exercise