HEAT & COLD Flashcards
DEHYDRATION
A person loses water or fluids through:
- Heat exposure.
- Sweating.
- Illness (vomiting, diarrhea, fever).
- Decreased fluid intake
SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION
- Weakness.
- Thirst or dry mouth.
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
- Less urination than usual.
HEAT CRAMPS
Painful muscle spams, usually in arms, calves, stomach, and back. The person may also sweat and have a headache. - Have the person stop the activity until they are completely cooled off.
- Have the person drink something with sugar and electrolytes (sports drink, juice, water).
- If needed, apply a bag with ice and water that’s wrapped in the towel to the cramping area for up to 20 minutes.
SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Muscle cramps.
- Feeling faint or fatigued.
- Heavy sweating.
ACTIONS TO TAKE: HEAT EXHAUSTION
- Have the person lie down in a cool place.
- Remove as much of the person’s clothing as possible.
- Cool the person with a cool water spray. If that’s not available, place cool damp cloths on the neck armpits and groin.
- If possible, have them drink something with sugar and electrolytes (sports drink, juice, water).
HEAT STROKE
Heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition.
HEAT STROKE SIGNS
- Confusion.
- Passing out.
- Dizziness.
- Seizures.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling faint or fatigued.
It’s important to begin cooling a person who might have heat stroke immediately; every minute counts.
ACTIONS TO TAKE: HEAT STROKE
- Phone 911 and send someone to get the AED.
- Move them from the hot environment.
- Remove excess clothing.
- Limit their physical activity.
- Put the person in cool water up to their neck or spray them with cool water.
- If the person becomes unresponsive and it’s not breathing normally or is only gasping, begin CPR.
- Anyone who experiences heat exhaustion or heat stroke should stop all physical activity until they’ve been evaluated by a healthcare provider.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite affects parts of the body that are most exposed to the cold, such as the fingers, toes, nose, and ears.
SIGNS OF FROSTBITE
- White, waxy, or grayish yellow skin that doesn’t move when you push it.
- Cold and numb skin or hard skin that doesn’t move when you push it.
SIGNS OF FROSTBITE
- White, waxy, or grayish yellow skin that doesn’t move when you push it. lol skin cold and numbskin or hardskin that doesn’t move when you push it
ACTIONS TO TAKE: FROSTBITE
- Make sure the scene is safe.
- Move the person to a warm place.
- Phone 911 and get the 1st aid kit.
- Remove the person’s wet or tight clothing and path the body dry. Help the person put dry clothes on and cover with a blanket.
- Remove tight rings or any bracelets from the frostbitten part.
- Don’t try to thaw the frozen part. If you think there may be a chance of the body refreezing before you can get to medical care.
- Don’t rub the frostbitten area. Rubbing may cause damage. If you need to touch the frost button area, do so gently.
ACTIONS TO TAKE: HYPOTHERMIA
- Make sure the scene is safe.
- Get the person out of the cold.
- Remove wet clothing, pat the person dry, and cover them with a blanket.
- Phone 911 and get the 1st aid kit and AED.
- Put dry clothes on the person.
- Cover their body and head, but not face, with blankets, towels, or even news paper.
- Remain with the person until help arrives.
- If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally or is only gasping, give CPR.
HYPOTHERMIA
Low body temperature. Can cause serious problems or death.
SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA
- Skin that’s cool to the touch.
- Shivering, which stops when the body temperature is very low.
- Confusion.
- Change in personality.
- Sleepy or seem unconcerned about their condition.
- Their muscles may become stiff and rigid.
- Skin becomes ice cold and blue.
- Unresponsive or appear dead.
