Heat IllnessHeat IllnessPrevention and ProtectionPrevention and Protection

Lawrence L. Lambert, EMT-PLawrence L. Lambert, EMT-P

Acadian Integrated ServicesAcadian Integrated Services

Risk of Heat StressRisk of Heat Stress

• Rise in body temp Rise in body temp and heart rateand heart rate

• Loss of Loss of concentration and concentration and difficulty in difficulty in focusingfocusing

• Little or no desire Little or no desire to drinkto drink

• Little or no desire Little or no desire to drinkto drink

• Fainting and Fainting and possible death if possible death if the person is not the person is not removed from heat removed from heat sourcesource

Heat Illness PreventionHeat Illness Prevention

• Drink plenty of water Drink plenty of water

• An individual can produce 2 -3 gallon An individual can produce 2 -3 gallon of sweat per dayof sweat per day

• If you or a coworker feel symptoms If you or a coworker feel symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness or unusual fatigue; notify weakness or unusual fatigue; notify your supervisor and seek medical your supervisor and seek medical care “PRN” care “PRN”

Heat Illness PreventionHeat Illness Prevention

• Coming back from and extended Coming back from and extended break ie. 14 days; you are more break ie. 14 days; you are more vulnerable to heat stress. vulnerable to heat stress.

• It can take up to 5 -7 days to It can take up to 5 -7 days to reacclimatizereacclimatize

• Pay close attention to coworkers Pay close attention to coworkers during periods of extreme heatduring periods of extreme heat

Heat Illness PreventionHeat Illness Prevention

• In order to replenish that fluid loss In order to replenish that fluid loss you should drink up to 24 oz’s of you should drink up to 24 oz’s of water per hour starting at the water per hour starting at the beginning of your shiftbeginning of your shift

• Take breaks in cool shaded areasTake breaks in cool shaded areas

• Avoid use of alcohol and caffeine Avoid use of alcohol and caffeine during periods of extreme heat. Both during periods of extreme heat. Both dehydrate the body.dehydrate the body.

How can you reduce the risk of How can you reduce the risk of heat stress?heat stress?

• Drink waterDrink water• Recognize the Recognize the

symptoms of heat symptoms of heat stressstress

• Provide first aid to Provide first aid to heat emergenciesheat emergencies

• Notify first Notify first responders and responders and medics when medics when availableavailable

• Slow your work Slow your work pacepace

• Wear appropriate Wear appropriate clothingclothing

• SunscreenSunscreen

• HatsHats• Dark eye protetionDark eye protetion

• Be aware of older Be aware of older workersworkers

Heat ExhaustionHeat Exhaustion

• HeadacheHeadache

• Clammy and moistClammy and moist

• Body temperature are normal to Body temperature are normal to slightly elevatedslightly elevated

Heat ExhaustionHeat Exhaustion

• Results of loss of fluid through Results of loss of fluid through sweating and not replacing fluids sweating and not replacing fluids

• Weakness and fatigueWeakness and fatigue

• NauseaNausea

Treatment of Heat Treatment of Heat ExhaustionExhaustion

• Move victim to cool placeMove victim to cool place

• Drink water and/or an electrolyte Drink water and/or an electrolyte solution such as solution such as Gatorade Gatorade or similar or similar sports drinksports drink

• In cases where victim begins to vomit In cases where victim begins to vomit seek appropriate medical careseek appropriate medical care

• Cool, wet towels to heat regulatory Cool, wet towels to heat regulatory receptorsreceptors

Heat StrokeHeat Stroke

• The most serious health problem for The most serious health problem for workers in a hot environmentworkers in a hot environment

• Body temperature can reach 106 Body temperature can reach 106 Degrees or higherDegrees or higher

Heat StrokeHeat Stroke

• Hot, dry skin may be red, mottled or Hot, dry skin may be red, mottled or bluish bluish

• Mental confusion, delirium, loss of Mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness or comaconsciousness or coma

Treatment of Heat StrokeTreatment of Heat Stroke

• Advanced and definitive medical care is Advanced and definitive medical care is essential and should be summoned essential and should be summoned ASAPASAP

• While waiting for medical care to arrive:While waiting for medical care to arrive:•Move victim to cool areaMove victim to cool area

•Soak clothes withSoak clothes with COOL COOL water water

•Fan vigorously to increase coolingFan vigorously to increase cooling

Heat CrampsHeat Cramps

Painful spasms of the muscles Painful spasms of the muscles caused by the body’s loss of caused by the body’s loss of

saltsalt

Treatment of Heat CrampsTreatment of Heat Cramps

• Drink electrolyte fluidsDrink electrolyte fluids

• In severe cramping seek medical In severe cramping seek medical carecare

Over the Counter Over the Counter MedicationsMedications

• Many former prescription drugs are Many former prescription drugs are now available without a prescriptionnow available without a prescription

• Certain drugs should not be mixedCertain drugs should not be mixed

• Take as directed…. Continue for a Take as directed…. Continue for a couple doses after you feel like you couple doses after you feel like you need themneed them

Over the Counter Over the Counter MedicationsMedications

• Not all drugs work the same in Not all drugs work the same in different peopledifferent people

• Symptom specificSymptom specific

• Take advantage of professional Take advantage of professional advice – Doctor, Pharmacist and/or advice – Doctor, Pharmacist and/or MedicMedic