Heat-Related Emergencies

1. Chapter 21
Heat-Related Emergencies

2. How the Body Stays Cool
• The body is constantly trying to remain
cool and disperse the heat that it
produces.
• If you do not rid your body of excess
heat fast enough, it cooks the brain and
other vital organs.

3. Disposing of Excess Heat
• Evaporation
• Sweat
• Radiation
• The body releases heat into its
surroundings when the air
temperature is 70˚F or less.
• As the environmental temperature
approaches the body’s temperature,
heat loss through radiation is reduced.

4. Water Loss (1 of 2)
• Water makes up about 50 to 60% of
an adult’s body weight.
• About two quarts of water is lost daily
through:
• Breathing
• Urinating
• Bowel movements
• Sweat

5. Water Loss (2 of 2)
• An adult requires about two quarts a day.
• A working adult can produce two to three
quarts of sweat an hour.
• When you are thirsty, you are already
dehydrated.

6. Dehydration (1 of 2)
• Monitor urine output.
• Enough water = clear urine at least five times
a day.
• Not enough water = cloudy or dark urine less
than five times a day.
• While working outside in hot weather, drink 8
ounces of water every 20 minutes.

7. Dehydration (2 of 2)
• Cool water is easier to absorb than warm
water.
• Avoid:
• Caffeinated beverages
• Alcoholic beverages
• Soda
• Fruit juices

8. Electrolyte Loss
• Potassium and sodium are essential
electrolytes
• Found in sweat and urine
• Control movement of water in and out of cells
• Sodium is not a problem in the typical
American diet.
• Commercial sports drinks are useful for
physical activity lasting more than one
hour.

9. Water Intoxication
• Drinking more than 1 quart of water an
hour
• Profuse sweating for long periods of time
• Electrolytes are flushed from the body.
• Symptoms include:
• Frequent urination
• Behavior changes

10. Effects of Humidity
• Sweat can cool the body only if it
evaporates.
• Sweat cannot evaporate in high humidity.
• The higher the humidity, the lower the
temperature at which heat risk begins.

11. Who Is At Risk? (1 of 2)
• At particular risk:
• Obese people
• People with chronic illness
• People with alcoholism
• Elderly
• Infants and young children
• Children and pets left in parked cars
• Outdoor laborers and athletes

12. Who Is At Risk? (2 of 2)
• Certain medications predispose to
heatstroke:
• Those that alter sweat production
• Those that interfere with
thermoregulation

13. Heat Illnesses
• Include a range of disorders
• Only heatstroke is life threatening.
• Untreated victims always die.

14. Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that
occur suddenly during or after vigorous
exercise or activity.

15. Recognizing Heat Cramps
•Painful muscle spasms that happen
suddenly
•Affect the muscles in the back of the leg or
abdomen
•Occur during or after physical exertion

16. Care for Heat Cramps
• Have the victim rest in a cool place.
• Have the victim drink lightly salted, cool
water or commercial sports drink.
• Stretch the cramped calf muscle.
• Place an ice bag on the painful muscle.
• Pinch the upper lip just below the nose.

17. Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy
perspiration with normal or slightly above-
normal body temperature.

18. Recognizing Heat Exhaustion
• Sweating
• Thirst
• Fatigue
• Flulike symptoms
• Shortness of breath
• Fast heart rate

19. Care for Heat Exhaustion
• Move victim immediately to a cool place.
• Give cool liquids.
• Raise victim’s legs 6 to 12 inches.
• Remove excess clothing.
• Sponge victim with cool water and fan him
or her.
• Place ice bags on sides of chest, neck, and
armpits.
• Seek medical care if there is no
improvement within 30 minutes.

20. Heatstroke
• Classic
heatstroke can
take days to
develop.
• Exertional
heatstroke has a
rapid onset.

21. Heatstroke vs. Heat
Exhaustion
• Suspect heatstroke if:
• Victim’s body feels extremely hot
• Victim’s mental behavior is altered
• A coma occurs in less than an hour
• Rectal temperature can also distinguish
heatstroke from heat exhaustion.

22. Recognizing Heatstroke
• Extremely hot skin when touched
• Altered mental status

23. Care for Heatstroke (1 of 2)
• Move the victim immediately to a
cool place.
• Remove clothing down to the
victim’s underwear.
• Keep the victim’s head and
shoulders slightly elevated.
• Call 9-1-1 immediately.

24. Care for Heatstroke (2 of 2)
• Cool the victim
quickly.
• Spray with water
• Fan
• Apply cool, wet
sheets or cloths
• Apply ice bags
• Place in ice bath
• Place in cool bath