This document discusses various cold and heat-related illnesses and injuries: Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 35°C due to exposure to cold, wet conditions. Signs include shivering, confusion, and loss of consciousness. To assist, remove the casualty from cold, provide dry clothing and blankets, and gradually rewarm them. Frostbite freezes the skin and underlying tissues, most often on the face, ears, toes and fingers. Signs are pale, hard skin and numbness. Gently rewarm the affected area and seek medical aid. Dehydration is a lack of fluid in the body, causing thirst, dizziness and dark urine. To

1. HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid
Slideshow 12
Heat and Cold Illness and Injury
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2. Cold Illness - Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature
drops below 35 C. If the casualty’s temperature
keeps falling, their internal organs will cease
functioning, resulting in death (usually from cardiac
arrest). Exposure to cold, wet, windy conditions
without adequate protection or clothing can cause
hypothermia. Other causes include; drugs
(including alcohol and sedatives), trauma, infections
and some medical conditions. The elderly and
infants are at higher risk of hypothermia
developing.
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3. Cold Illness - Hypothermia
Signs and Symptoms
• Pale, cold skin, shivering early stages)
• Apathy and confusion
• Poor coordination
• Feeling exhausted and disorientated
• Slowing irregular pulse
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness (later stage)
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4. Cold Illness - Hypothermia
Steps to assist casualty
• Remove casualty from cold environment – improvise
shelter if necessary
• Call ambulance
• Carefully remove any wet clothing – only if dry clothing
or blankets are available
• Rewarm casualty gradually – use body to body warmth
• Monitor vital signs
• Follow basic life support steps
• Do not use direct heat or massage to re warm casualty
• Do not give alcohol or hot drinks
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5. Frostbite
• Frostbite occurs when the body is exposed to
extreme cold which causes the skin or the skin
and underlying tissue to become frozen. When
the tissues freeze they cause the formation of ice
crystals within the blood vessels causing them to
become blocked.
• Frostbite can be superficial – when the skin id
only affected or deep –when the skin and
underlying tissues are affected. The most
common areas affected by frostbite are usually
the face, ears as well as toes and fingers.
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6. Frostbite
Signs and Symptoms
• Pale, waxy, hard skin
• Initial pain or tingling feeling of the affected part followed by numbness
• Itching
• Swelling or blistering
• Mottled, blotchy skin
• Steps to assist casualty
• Seek shelter from cold or wet
• Gently rewards casualty and affected area, use dry clothing and blankets if
available
• Do not allow thawed area to re freeze
• Do not massage or rub frozen tissue
• Do not use direct heat to rewarm the area
• Seek medical aid
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7. Dehydration
• Dehydration occurs when there is a lack of
fluid in the body for it to function normally.
This could be as a result from not drinking
enough water and fluids or a combination of
both. The elderly and children are at a higher
risk of becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can
cause more serious health problems including
heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
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8. Dehydration
Signs and Symptoms (early stages)
• Feeling thirsty
• Warm, dry skin
• Feeling dizzy
• Cramps in arms or legs
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9. Dehydration
Signs and Symptoms (later stages)
• Dark yellow urine
• Passing little of no urine
• Hot, flushed skin
• Sunken eyes
• Rapid pulse
• Confused or irrational behaviour
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10. Dehydration
Steps to assist casualty
• Reassure the casualty
• Replace lost fluids
• If casualty is conscious give them regular small
sips of water
• If there is no improvement in an hour or
casualty’s condition worsens seek medical aid
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11. Heat Cramps
• Heat cramps are painful contractions or
spasms of muscles which are often
experienced by a casualty who has been
sweating heavily during periods of strenuous
exercise. They usually occur in the arms, legs
and abdomen. Heat cramps are one of the
first signs of heat exhaustion.
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12. Heat Cramps
Signs and Symptoms
• Profuse sweating
• Feeling tired and thirsty
• Heat rash
• Nausea
• Twitching or spasm of muscles
• Painful involuntary muscle cramps
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13. Heat Cramps
Steps to assist casualty
• Rest casualty in cool area or shaded area
• Gently stretch affected muscles
• Reassure casualty and try to keep them
comfortable
• Observe casualty for signs of heat
exhaustion/heat stroke
• Do not give salt tablets
• If cramps persist seek medical aid
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14. Heat Exhaustion
This is caused by a rise in body temperature (to
less than 40 C). The casualty can become
dehydrated from excessive sweating and not
replacing the lost fluid. If recognised early the
casualty can usually recover quickly, if no
recognised and treated quickly the casualty may
suffer heat stroke.
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15. Heat Exhaustion
Signs and Symptoms
• Pale, cold clammy skin
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Profuse sweating
• Feeling thirsty
• Nausea, vomiting
• Headache
• Cramps
• Feeling dizzy, fainting
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16. Heat Exhaustion
Steps to assist the casualty
• Reassure the casualty and lie them down in cool
area
• Loosen or remove excess clothing
• Cool casualty by fanning and sponging with water
• If casualty is conscious give them regular sips of
water
• Monitor and record vital signs
• If no improvement of condition worsens call
ambulance
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17. Heat Stroke
• Heat stroke is a life threatening condition
when the body overheats and is unable to
regulate its temperature normally. The
casualty is severely dehydrated and can no
longer cool itself through sweating. The body’s
core temperature rises and organ damage can
occur to the heart, brain and kidneys.
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18. Heat Stroke
Signs and Symptoms
• Hot, dry skin
• Rapid pulse
• No sweating
• Irrational behaviour
• Aggressive behaviour
• Vomiting
• Staggering, fatigue
• Headache
• Cramps
• Collapse
• Seizure
• Loss of consciousness
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19. Heat Stroke
Steps to assist casualty
• Call ambulance
• Reassure the casualty and lie
them down in cool area
• Loosen or remove excess
clothing
• Cool casualty by fanning and
sponging with water
• Wrap icepack to neck, armpits
and groin
• Follow Basic Life Support steps
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20. Assessment Task
• Please complete the Assessment Task