Environmental Emergencies Chpt. 30 Flashcards
Air bubbles in the blood vessels
Air embolism
The temperature of the surrounding environment
Ambient temperature
A serum that counteracts the effect of venom from an animal or insect
Antivenin
Common name for decompression sickness
Bends
Loss of consciousness caused by a decreased breathing stimulus
Breath-holding syncope
The loss of heat by direct contact (ie. when a body part comes in contact with a colder object)
Conduction
The loss of body heat caused by air movement
Convection
The temperature of the central part of the body
Core Temperature
A painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in the blood vessels and other tissues; also called “the bends”
Decompression sickness
Slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water
Diving reflex
The process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid
Drowning
Any sign and symptoms caused by the difference between the surrounding atmospheric pressure and the total gas pressure in carious tissues, fluids, and cavities of the body
Dysbarism injuries
Conversion of water or another fluid from a liquid to a gas
Evaporation
Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body parts
Frostbite
Painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment
Heat cramps
A form of heat injury in which the body loses significant amounts of fluid and electrolytes because of heavy sweating; also called heat prostration or heat collapse
Heat exhaustion
A life threatening condition of severe hyperthermia caused by expose to excessive natural or artificial heat, marked by war, dry skin; severely altered mental status; and otfen irreversible coma
Heat stroke
A family of insects that includes bees, wasps, ants and yellow jackets
Hymenoptera
A condition in which the body core temperature rises to 101°F (38.3°C) or more
Hyperthermia
A condition in which the body core temperature falls below 95°F (35°C) after exposure to a cold enviroment
Hypothermia
The transfer of heat to colder objects in the environment by radiant energy; for example heat gain from a fire
Radiation
The loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled
Respiration
A triage process in which efforts are focused on those who are in respiratory and cardiac arrest, and different from conventional triage where such patients would be classified as deceased. Used in triaging multiple victims of lightning stirke
Reverse Triage
A system that delivers air to the mouth and lungs at various atmospheric pressure, increasing with the depth of the dive; stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatues
SCUBA
