Health in Extreme Climates Flashcards
What factors can contribute to heat illness on operations?
Intense physical exercise
High temperature environments
Protective equipment
What can increase the risk of climatic injuries
Environmental conditions
Water/nutritional intake
Work intensity
Clothing & equipment
Individual risk factors
Acclimatisation / preparedness
What is generally the maximum daily fluid intake to prevent over hydration(hyponatremia)?
12 litres, hourly rate should not exceed 1.5 litres
In a hot climates what does clothing and equipment prevent that aids cooling the body
Evaporation of sweat
What factors for the individual can affect how they cope in extreme climates?
Medication
Physical fitness
Illness
Recent alcohol intake
Dehydration
Nutritional status
Obesity
Acclimatisation / preparedness
What is hyperthermia and what are the signs?
Early signs of heat stroke. Signs are:
Agitation
Nausea and vomiting
Staggering / coordination loss
Cramps
Disturbed vision
Confusion
Collapse or loss of consciousness
What factors can we control to help prevent heat illness?
Environmental conditions (Aircon)
Water intake
Work intensity
Clothing and equipment
Individual risk factors
Acclimatisation
Education and training
Medical needs
What causes prickly heat?
Small sweat Pores
Restrictive clothing
Dirt on skin
What factors can affect the risk of a cold injury?
Individual preparation
Environmental temperature
Wind chill
Work intensity
Clothing and equipment
Individual risk factors
What is the effect of wind chill?
The wind removed warm air from around the body and replaced it with colder air. Higher winds have a greater effect.
At what temperature are ears at risk from frostbite?
-10 degrees Celsius
At what temperature is hand protection mandatory in cold climates?
-5 degrees Celsius
What factors make a person high risk in a cold environment?
If they are:
Unwell
Unfit
Hungry
Have a history of cold injury
Are dehydrated
What environmental factors affect heat balance in the body?
Air temperature
Relative humidity
Radiant heat
Air movement
What physical factors affect heat balance in the body?
Clothing
Work rate
What does the WBGT test for?
Wet bulb - evaporation rate
Dry bulb - air temp
Globe temp - radiant heat
What steps are taken prior to deployment to acclimatise?
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
What steps are taken immediately on arrival in theatre to acclimatise?
No exercise for 24 hours
Sleep, eat and drink plenty of fluids
How long does full acclimatisation take?
At least 15 days
What is the purpose of acclimatisation?
Gradually increase work loads
Increase sweat
Increase fluid intake
How long does it take to re-acclimatise after 14 days absence from a hot theatre?
4-7 days
How long does it take to re-acclimatise after an absence of more than 24 days from a hot theatre?
Personnel must be considered not acclimatised and have at least 15 days re-acclimatisation
What conditions are rate of perceived exertion(RPE) 1, 2 and 3?
Feels like you can keep going for hours. Easy to breath and carry a conversation
What conditions are rate of perceived exertion(RPE) 4, 5 and 6?
Breathing heavily, can hold a short conversation. Still quite comfortable but becoming noticeably more challenging.
What conditions are RPE 7 and 8?
Borderline uncomfortable. Short of breath, can speak a sentence but not maintain a conversation.
What conditions are RPE 9 OR 10?
Very difficult or not possible to maintain exercise intensity. Can barely breathe and unable to speak or only able to speak a few words.
What does a medical plan for heat illnesses cover?
Exertional heat illness
Level of med cover
Types and amounts of medical equipment needed
How and where casualties will be evacuated
As a minimum what should a risk assessment consider in regards to heat illness
Acclimatisation
Clothing and equipment
Expected work rate
Environment
Individual risk factors
Education and training
Medical plan
Fluid requirement
Body worn heat illness monitoring equipment
What is the risk assessment process?
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
How does wet clothing increase heat loss?
Through conduction and evaporation
When does risk of non freezing cold injuries begin?
15 degrees
When does risk of freezing cold injuries begin?
-0.55 degrees
How much does the temperature drop by every 100m gained in height?
1 degree celcius
What type of tasks increase the risk of cold injuries?
Stationary duties
Immersion in water
Prolonged exposure
Lack of shelter
Contact with metals and liquids
Clothing and equipment
