Environmental Emergencies

Question 1

Affecting Factors for Cold (2 Factors)

Answer 1

Immersion
-20x faster through water than air

Environment
-air temperatures, wind, humidity levels

Question 2

Hypothermia (signs and symptoms and temperature ranges)

Answer 2

93-95 degrees
-shivering, foot stamping, tachycardia and tachypnea

89 to 92
-shivering stops, muscle stiffness, confused, lethargic, sleepy, slowed respirations and slowed pulse

80 to 88
-Coma, weak pulse, arrhythmias, very slow breathing

below 80
-Unresponsive, cardiac arrest

NO ONE IS DEAD, UNTIL THEY ARE WARM AND DEAD

Question 3

Treatment of hypothermia (alert and responsive patient)

Answer 3

Active rewarm
-heat packs applied to groin, neck and axilla
-dry warm blankets
-in ambulance with high heat

Question 4

Treatment of hypothermia (unresponsive)

Answer 4

1) check pulse 30-45 seconds
2) remove from cold environment
3) administer O2 (warm and humidified if possible)
4) handle patient gently

PASSIVELY REWARM
5) dry (warm) blankets
6) place in ambulance with heat