Heat Emergencies and Burns

Heat Emergencies

There are three types of heat emergencies you may be required to treat.

·  Heat Stroke
This is the most serious type of heat emergency. It is LIFE-THREATENING and requires IMMEDIATE and AGGRESSIVE treatment!

Heat stroke occurs when the body's heat regulating mechanism fails. The body temperature rises so high that brain damage --and death-- may result unless the body is cooled quickly.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
The victim's skin is HOT, RED and usually DRY. Pupils are very small. The body temperature is VERY HIGH, sometimes as high as 105 degrees.

FIRST AID:
Remember, Heat Stroke is a life-threatening emergency and requires prompt action! Summon professional help. Get the victim into a cool place.

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COOL THE VICTIM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IN ANY MANNER POSSIBLE!
Place the victim into a bathtub of cool water, wrap in wet sheets, place in an air conditioned room.

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Do not give victim anything by mouth. Treat for shock.

·  Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It is caused by fluid loss which in turn causes blood flow to decrease in vital organs, resulting in a form of shock.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
COOL, PALE AND MOIST skin, heavy sweating, dilated pupils (wide), headache, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Body temperature will be near normal.

FIRST AID:
Get the victim out of the heat and into a cool place. Place in the shock position, lying on the back with feet raised. Remove or loosen clothing. Cool by fanning or applying cold packs or wet towels or sheets. If conscious, give water to drink every 15 minutes.

IMPORTANT: WHILE HEAT EXHAUSTION IS NOT A LIFE- THREATENING EMERGENCY LIKE HEAT STROKE, IT CAN PROGRESS TO HEAT STROKE IF LEFT UNTREATED!

·  Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are muscular pain and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or legs. It is generally thought this condition is caused by loss of water and salt through sweating.

FIRST AID:
Get victim to a cool place. If they can tolerate it, give one-half glass of water every 15 minutes. Heat cramps can usually be avoided by increasing fluid intake when active in hot weather.

Burns

The severity of a burn depends upon its size, depth and location. Burns are most severe when located on the face, neck, hands, feet and genitals. Also, when they are spread over large parts of the body or when they are combined with other injuries.

Burns result in pain, infection and shock. They are most serious when the victims are very young or very old.

• FIRST DEGREE burns are the least severe. They are characterized by redness or discoloration, mild swelling and pain. Overexposure to the sun is a common cause of first degree burns.
• SECOND DEGREE burns are more serious. They are deeper than first degree burns, look red or mottled and have blisters. They may also involve loss of fluids through the damaged skin. Second degree burns are usually the most painful because nerve ending are usually intact, despite severe tissue damage.
• THIRD DEGREE burns are the deepest. They may look white or charred, extend through all skin layers. Victims of third degree burns may have severe pain -- or no pain at all -- if the nerve endings are destroyed.

First Aid for Burns

• FIRST DEGREE: Flush with cool running water, Apply moist dressings and bandage loosely.
• SECOND DEGREE: Apply dry dressings and bandage loosely Do not use water as it may increase risk of shock.
• THIRD DEGREE: Same treatment as second degree.