Respiration and Heat

Question 1

What factors affect breathing rate?

Answer 1

Temperature
Smoke/toxic gases
Work rate
Physical fitness
Illness
Mental and emotional state

Question 2

How do we lose heat?

Answer 2

Vaporisation (lungs)- 15%

Convection -10%

Evaporation and sweating - 25%

Radiation - 50%

Question 3

What causes heat exhaustion?

Answer 3

Excessive sweating

Question 4

What are the symptoms and consequences of heat exhaustion?

Answer 4

Thickening of the blood
Stiffening arteries

Electrolyte loss - cramps, headaches, nausea, collapse

Extreme weakness

Dizziness

Confusion

Syncope

Question 5

What are the causes of heat stroke?

Answer 5

Getting so hot that your body can no longer regulate its temperature effectively

Question 6

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

Answer 6

Rapid decline
Irrational
Rapid bounding pulse
Hot, dry flushed skin

(latter stages)
Drop or halting of sweating
Rapid rise in temperature
collapse, coma, death

Question 7

What first aid would you do for someone presenting with a heat related illness?

Answer 7

Remove from hot area
Shaded ares
Remove PPE
Sips of water
Radial cooling
Fan
Medical professional

Question 8

What are the psychological effects of excessive heat?

Answer 8

• Increased mental
  confusion
• Decreased cognitive
  skills
• Aggressive
• Underestimated
  appreciation of
  conditions
• Overestimated personal
  capabilities
• Increased anxiety

Question 9

What are the physiological effects of excessive heat?

Answer 9

• Increased work rate.
• Increased fatigue.
• Decreased performance.
• Decreased manipulative
  skills.

Question 10

What control measures are there it mitigate the effects of heat stress?

Answer 10

Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine

Maintain physical fitness

Limit exposure