Health in Extreme Climates

Question 1

What factors can contribute to heat illness on operations?

Answer 1

Intense physical exercise
High temperature environments
Protective equipment

Question 2

What can increase the risk of climatic injuries

Answer 2

Environmental conditions
Water/nutritional intake
Work intensity
Clothing & equipment
Individual risk factors
Acclimatisation / preparedness

Question 3

What is generally the maximum daily fluid intake to prevent over hydration(hyponatremia)?

Answer 3

12 litres, hourly rate should not exceed 1.5 litres

Question 4

In a hot climates what does clothing and equipment prevent that aids cooling the body

Answer 4

Evaporation of sweat

Question 5

What factors for the individual can affect how they cope in extreme climates?

Answer 5

Medication
Physical fitness
Illness
Recent alcohol intake
Dehydration
Nutritional status
Obesity
Acclimatisation / preparedness

Question 6

What is hyperthermia and what are the signs?

Answer 6

Early signs of heat stroke. Signs are:
Agitation
Nausea and vomiting
Staggering / coordination loss
Cramps
Disturbed vision
Confusion
Collapse or loss of consciousness

Question 7

What factors can we control to help prevent heat illness?

Answer 7

Environmental conditions (Aircon)
Water intake
Work intensity
Clothing and equipment
Individual risk factors
Acclimatisation
Education and training
Medical needs

Question 8

What causes prickly heat?

Answer 8

Small sweat Pores
Restrictive clothing
Dirt on skin

Question 9

What factors can affect the risk of a cold injury?

Answer 9

Individual preparation
Environmental temperature
Wind chill
Work intensity
Clothing and equipment
Individual risk factors

Question 10

What is the effect of wind chill?

Answer 10

The wind removed warm air from around the body and replaced it with colder air. Higher winds have a greater effect.

Question 11

At what temperature are ears at risk from frostbite?

Answer 11

-10 degrees Celsius

Question 12

At what temperature is hand protection mandatory in cold climates?

Answer 12

-5 degrees Celsius

Question 13

What factors make a person high risk in a cold environment?

Answer 13

If they are:
Unwell
Unfit
Hungry
Have a history of cold injury
Are dehydrated

Question 14

What environmental factors affect heat balance in the body?

Answer 14

Air temperature
Relative humidity
Radiant heat
Air movement

Question 15

What physical factors affect heat balance in the body?

Answer 15

Clothing
Work rate

Question 16

What does the WBGT test for?

Answer 16

Wet bulb - evaporation rate
Dry bulb - air temp
Globe temp - radiant heat

Question 17

What steps are taken prior to deployment to acclimatise?

Answer 17

6 weeks before deployment start acclimatising

3-4 weeks of aerobic fitness
10-14 days before, aim to raise body temp for an hour each day

Question 18

What steps are taken immediately on arrival in theatre to acclimatise?

Answer 18

No exercise for 24 hours
Sleep, eat and drink plenty of fluids

Question 19

How long does full acclimatisation take?

Answer 19

At least 15 days

Question 20

What is the purpose of acclimatisation?

Answer 20

Gradually increase work loads
Increase sweat
Increase fluid intake

Question 21

How long does it take to re-acclimatise after 14 days absence from a hot theatre?

Answer 21

4-7 days

Question 22

How long does it take to re-acclimatise after an absence of more than 24 days from a hot theatre?

Answer 22

Personnel must be considered not acclimatised and have at least 15 days re-acclimatisation

Question 23

What conditions are rate of perceived exertion(RPE) 1, 2 and 3?

Answer 23

Feels like you can keep going for hours. Easy to breath and carry a conversation

Question 24

What conditions are rate of perceived exertion(RPE) 4, 5 and 6?

Answer 24

Breathing heavily, can hold a short conversation. Still quite comfortable but becoming noticeably more challenging.

Question 25

What conditions are RPE 7 and 8?

Answer 25

Borderline uncomfortable. Short of breath, can speak a sentence but not maintain a conversation.

Question 26

What conditions are RPE 9 OR 10?

Answer 26

Very difficult or not possible to maintain exercise intensity. Can barely breathe and unable to speak or only able to speak a few words.

Question 27

What does a medical plan for heat illnesses cover?

Answer 27

Exertional heat illness
Level of med cover
Types and amounts of medical equipment needed
How and where casualties will be evacuated

Question 28

As a minimum what should a risk assessment consider in regards to heat illness

Answer 28

Acclimatisation
Clothing and equipment
Expected work rate
Environment
Individual risk factors
Education and training
Medical plan
Fluid requirement
Body worn heat illness monitoring equipment

Question 29

What is the risk assessment process?

Answer 29

Identify the hazard
Decide who might be harmed and how
Evaluate the risks and identify suitable and sufficient control measures
Record and implement findings
Review the risk assessment and update as necessary

Question 30

How does wet clothing increase heat loss?

Answer 30

Through conduction and evaporation

Question 31

When does risk of non freezing cold injuries begin?

Answer 31

15 degrees

Question 32

When does risk of freezing cold injuries begin?

Answer 32

-0.55 degrees

Question 33

How much does the temperature drop by every 100m gained in height?

Answer 33

1 degree celcius

Question 34

What type of tasks increase the risk of cold injuries?

Answer 34

Stationary duties
Immersion in water
Prolonged exposure
Lack of shelter
Contact with metals and liquids
Clothing and equipment