Extremes Of Temperature Flashcards
What is hypothermia?
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when someone’s body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F). Normal body temperature is around 37°C (98. 6°F). Hypothermia can become life-threatening quickly, so it’s important to treat someone with hypothermia straight away.
Signs and symptoms of hypothermia
-shivering
-tired
-reduced level of response
-slow breathing
-slow pulse
What to do if you are outdoors
1)Try to get casualty indoors/in shelter away from wind.
2)remove/replace any wet clothing
3)lay casualty on thick layer of dry insulated material. E.g, blankets or survival blanket.
4) call 999
5)give them a hot drink and food
6) monitor casualty and wait for help to arrive.
What to do for hypothermia indoors
1)cover casualty with blankets and warm the room
2)give them a hot drink/food (not alcohol)
3)seek medical advice in case of a underlying more serious illness.
4) monitor casualty until they recover.
What is heat exhaustion?
Long periods in the sun can take its toll after a while and can lead to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, usually through excessive sweating. It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren’t used to hot, humid weather. If you’re at a festival and it’s very hot, it’s easy to suffer from heat exhaustion.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion?
-Headache
-Dizziness and confusion
-Loss of appetite and feeling sick
-Sweating with pale clammy skin
-Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
-Fast, weakening pulse and breathing
What to do for heat exhaustion?
1)Help them to lie down and raise their legs.
2) give them water or isotonic drinks.
3) check breathing and pulse
4) call 999 if exacerbates
What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke is caused by a failure of the ‘thermostat’ in the brain which regulates the body’s temperature. This means the body is unable to cool down when it becomes too hot.
It could be caused by spending too much time in the sun, having a high fever, or from taking non-prescription drugs such as Ecstasy. It can also occur after heat exhaustion when sweating ceases.
Your priority is to cool them down as quickly as possible and get them to hospital.
Symptoms of heat stroke
-Headache, dizziness and discomfort
-Restlessness and confusion
-Hot flushed and dry skin
-A fast deterioration in the level of response
-A full bounding pulse
-Body temperature above 40°C (104°F).
What to do for heatstroke
1) Remove outer clothing and move them to a cooler place
2) call 999
3)wrap them in a wet sheet or sponge them with cool water.
4) once temp settles, replace wet sheet with a dry sheet.
5) monitor and repeat process if needed
