Heat and Cold Related Emergency

Exposure to extreme heat or cold can make a person seriously ill. A person’s condition can quickly worsen, and may even result in death, if not given First Aid promptly.

Heat related emergency:

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are conditions caused by overexposure to heat.

Heat cramps:

This is the least severe. Signs are painful muscle spasms, which occur in the legs and abdomen, and this is a warning signal of possible heat related emergency. Move the person to a cool place, give him/her electrolyte-carbohydrate solutions to drink, and lightly stretch and massage the area.

Heat exhaustion:

It often affects athletes, firefighters, construction workers, and factory workers, and those who wear heavy clothing in hot and humid environments. Its signs include: cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, and/or weakness.

Move the person to a cooler environment, loosen or remove the clothes, get the person into circulating air, and apply a wet towel. If the person is conscious give small amounts of cool water, if conditions worsen call 9-1-1 or a local emergency number.

Heat stroke:

This is the least common but most severe heat related emergency. It develops when the body system is overwhelmed by heat and begins to stop functioning. Some signs are: red skin, either moist or dry, change in consciousness, rapid and weak pulse, and shallow breathing.

Call 9-1-1 immediately, instantly cool the victim, and if possible immerse the victim, up to the chin, in cold water.

Cold related emergency:

Frostbite and hypothermia are two types of cold related emergencies.

Frostbite: Is the freezing of body parts exposed to the cold.Its severity depends on the temperature, length of exposure and the wind; it can also cause loss of that body part. Some indicators are: lack of feeling, appears waxy to the touch and may also discolor (flushed white, yellow or blue).

Remove the wet clothing and jewelry from affected area, soak the area in warm water, and cover with dry sterile dressings. Do not rub the frostbitten area, and check for airway, breathing and circulation. Do not re-warm the frostbitten part if there is a danger of it refreezing.

Hypothermia emergency: The entire body cools because its ability to keep warm fails. The person can die if not given care promptly. The temperature does not have to be below freezing to develop hyperthermia especially if the person is wet or in the wind. Signs include: shivering, numbness, glassy stare, indifference or loss of consciousness, if shivering stops without warming, these are signs of deterioration.

Start by calling 9-1-1, for life-threatening conditions. Gently move the person to a warm area, check for CAB and care for shock, remove wet clothing, and cover the person with blankets. Be sure to carefully monitor heating pads and hot water bottles, so that the person does not unintentionally burn. Warm the person slowly and handle the person with care.