Safety in the Field

Prevention is Key!!! DRINK WATER!  DRINK WATER!  DRINK MORE WATER!

Heat exhaustion symptoms

• Often pale with cool, moist skin
  
• Sweating profusely
  
•  Muscle cramps or pains
  
• Feels faint or dizzy
  
• May complain of  headache,  weakness, thirst, and nausea 
  
• Core (rectal) temperature elevated—usually more than 100°F—and the pulse rate increased

Call a doctor for heat exhaustion if the person is unable to keep fluids down or if their mental status begins to deteriorate. Symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, or abdominal pain may indicate that the heat exhaustion is accompanied by more serious medical problems.

Heat stroke symptoms

• Unconscious or has a markedly abnormal mental status (dizziness confusion, hallucinations, or coma )
  
• Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)
  
• May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later
  
• May be hyperventilating
  
• Rectal (core) temperature of 105°F or more

Suspected heat stroke is a true, life-threatening medical emergency. Call for an ambulance and request information as to what to do until the ambulance arrives.

Treatment

Field care is appropriate for mild forms of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and an ambulance should be called immediately.

• For mild cases of heat exhaustion
  
• Rest in a cool, shaded area.
  
• Give cool fluids such as water or sports drinks (that will replace the salt that has been lost). Salty snacks are appropriate as tolerated.
  
• Loosen or remove clothing.
  
• Apply cool water to skin.
  
• Do not use an alcohol rub.
  
• Do not give any beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
  
  
• Heat stroke (do not attempt to treat a case of heat stroke at home, but you can help while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.)
  
  
  • Call 911 immediately
    
  • Move the person to a cooler environment, or place him or her in a cool bath of water (as long as he or she is conscious and can be attended continuously).
    
  • Alternatively, moisten the skin with lukewarm water and use a fan to blow cool air across the skin.
    
  • Give cool beverages by mouth only if the person has a normal mental state and can tolerate it.

Hypothermia Prevention

Prepare well before embarking on any cold weather activities.

• Make sure you are conditioned physically with adequate nutrition and rest.
  
• Travel with a partner.
  
• Wear multiple layers of clothing, loosely fitted. Cover the head, wrists, neck, hands, and feet and try to remain dry.
  
• In an emergency, drink cold water rather than ice or snow.
  
• Be wary of wind and wet weather because they increase the rate of heat loss.
  
  

  Hypothermia Symptoms

  Although the distinctions among mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia are not often clear, a somewhat constant sequence of events occurs as core body temperatures continue to decline.
  
  

  • At temperatures below 95°F (35°C), shivering is seen.  Heartrate, Breathing and blood pressure increase. .
    
    
  • As the temperature drops further, pulse,  breathing rate, and blood pressure all decrease. You may experience some clumsiness, apathy, confusion, and slurred speech.
    
    
  • As core temperature drops lower than 89.9°F (32.2°C), shivering stops. The victim may be in a stupor. The heart rhythm may become irregular.
    
    
  • At temperatures below 82.4°F (28°C), reflexes are lost . The risk of dangerously irregular heart rhythms increases, and brain activity is seriously slowed. The pupils are dilated, and the victim appears comatose or dead.

Rewarming

• Remove all wet clothes and move the person inside.
  
• The victim should be given warm fluids if he or she is able to drink, but do not give the person caffeine or alcohol.
  
• Cover the person’s body with blankets and aluminum-coated foils, and place the victim in a sleeping bag. Avoid actively heating the victim with outside sources of heat such as radiators or hot water baths. This may only decrease the amount of shivering and slow the rate of core temperature increase.
  
• Strenuous muscle exertion should be avoided.

NOTE:

If the person is unconcious and having severe breathing difficulty, or is pulseless, call 911 for an ambulance and start CPR.