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1. ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES

2. ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES
The most common emergency environmental conditions
include:
Heat exposure and illness including heat exhaustion and
heat stroke
Cold exposure and illness including hypothermia and
frostbite
Severe thunderstorms and lightning emergencies
Altitude illness including acute mountain sickness
Prevention and care of environmental emergencies in
athletics

3. Heat-Related Emergencies

4. BODY TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Water is essential factor for the body normal function, long duration of sweating or
excessive sweating without fluid replacement could be dangerous to the person.
Efficient function of many of the body’s various organs and systems require that core
temperature be maintained within a narrow range.
As the muscles work during exercise, a tremendous amount of heat is generated.
The body relies on a number of different methods to help dissipate this heat and
maintain core temperature within a desirable range.
These include Convection, Conduction, Evaporation And Radiation

5. METHODS OF CORE TEMPERATURE
REGULATION
Convection:
The body will gain or lose heat depending on the
temperature of the surrounding air or water.
Example: a person in cold water will have a
decrease in body temperature.
Conduction:
The body will gain or lose heat depending on the
temperature of whatever surface it is in contact
with.
Example: a person lying on hot artificial turf will
have an increase in body temperature.

6. METHODS OF CORE TEMPERATURE
REGULATION
Evaporation:
Water on a surface dissipates into the atmosphere,
releasing heat.
Example: sweat evaporating from the skin of an athlete
results in a loss of heat and a lower body temperature.
Radiation:
Heat is transferred from areas of high temperature to
areas of lower temperature.
Example: blood from working muscles travels close to
the surface of the skin. If the blood is warmer than the
air temperature surrounding the skin, heat will be
transferred from the warmer blood to the cooler
atmosphere.

8. TYPES OF HEAT ILLNESSES
1. Heat cramps
2. Heat exhaustion
3. Heat stroke

9. HEAT CRAMPS
• Heat cramps are common in athletics and should not be
overlooked because they can be considered as the first
stage of heat-related emergencies.
• Heat cramps tend to occur mainly in the leg area such
as the calf and hamstring muscles.
• They are usually recognized by intense pain with
persistent muscle spasms in the working muscle during
prolonged exercise.
• Heat cramps are generally thought to be caused by
muscle fatigue with rapid water and electrolyte loss via
the sweating mechanism.
• Lack of acclimatization?
• Nutrition?

10. TREATMENT OF HEAT CRAMPS
• Remove the person from activity.
• Rehydrate and replace electrolyte
losses.
• Try gentle passive stretching of
involved muscle group.
• Try light massage with ice to reduce
the muscle spasm.

11. HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is a condition when the
body is near to total collapse because of
dehydration and a dangerously elevated core
temperature.
Heat exhaustion is not considered a medical
emergency, although it is a serious condition
and is considered to be a precursor to heat
stroke.
In a person suffering from heat exhaustion,
the body’s cooling mechanisms are intact but
are no longer functioning efficiently.

12. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
EXHAUSTION
• The person has elevated core body temperature.
• He may feel generally weak or fatigued.
• He may feel nauseated.
• He has sweaty/wet skin.
• His skin may be pale.
• His breathing may be rapid and shallow.
• His pulse may be weak.

13. TREATMENT OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
• Check all vital signs.
• Measure core body temperature .
• Remove excess clothing.
• Cool the person with ice towels/ice
bags.
• Place the person in a cool or shaded
area.
• Start fluid replacement.
• If the condition of the person get
worse transfer the person to local
emergency care facility.

14. HEAT STROKE
The most severe heat-related condition is heat stroke.
This condition involves a breakdown of the body’s heat
regulation mechanism resulting in a dangerously high core
temperature.
The most notable symptoms of heat stroke are hot and red-
colored skin.
Commonly a strong and rapid pulse is present, with a high
chance of unconsciousness or mental confusion.
Heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can result in

15. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT
STROKE
• Increased core body temperature more than 104°F.
• Hot and dry/wet skin
• Red skin
• Strong and rapid pulse (110–120 bpm)
• The person may be weak and nauseated
• The person’s mental status is altered or exhibits irrational behavior
• The person may be unconscious.

16. TREATMENT OF HEAT STROKE
• Move the person out of the sun.
• Check and monitor all vital signs.
• Measure core body temperature.
• Assess cognitive function.
• Activate emergency action plan.
• Remove all excess clothing.
• Lower the core body temperature as quickly as possible.
• Immerse body in pool or tub of cool water.
• Manage airway if the person is unconscious.
• Transport to emergency care facility as quickly as possible.

17. Cold-Related Emergencies

18. COLD-RELATED EMERGENCIES
Serious health conditions can result from prolonged exposure to cold weather.
The most common cold-related emergencies are hypothermia and frostbite.
Cold-related emergencies occur when the person is unable to protect himself
from the outdoor environment.
Inadequately clothed person are at risk for accidental cold injuries caused by
prolonged exposure to low air temperature, humidity, and wind.
Clothing made wet as a result of perspiration from activity or from wet weather
conditions may also contribute to the person’s risk. Exposed body parts not
protected by clothing are particularly susceptible to freezing in frigid
temperatures.

19. HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia is a condition in which the body’s temperature
becomes dangerously low.
Many of the body’s organs can be damaged by hypothermia.
Normal body temperature ranges between 97.2°F and 99.5°F.
If the body temperature is just a few degrees lower than this,
bodily functions tend to slow down and become less
efficient.
If the body temperature drops too low and stays low for
more than a couple of hours, the body’s organs can begin to
shut down, and death will ultimately result.

20. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF HYPOTHERMIA
Progressively:
Individual feels cold and begins to
shiver.
Individual has difficulty thinking and
becomes mentally confused.
Individual loses the ability to shiver.
Individual’s heart starts beating
irregularly.
Individual falls into a coma and death
may occur.

21. TREATMENT OF HYPOTHERMIA
Monitor/maintain airway, breathing, and circulation.
Move the person out of the cold.
Take off cold and wet clothing.
Wrap the person in warm blankets and cover the head.
Do not try to warm cold skin by rubbing or massage.
Do not allow the person to walk.
Do not give anything by mouth if the athlete is not alert.
Transport to an emergency care facility as soon as possible.

22. FROSTBITE
Frostbite is a medical condition in which the nerves, blood
vessels, and other cells of the body are temporarily frozen by
exposure to cold temperature.
In frostbite, intracellular water actually freezes and blood supply
to the affected areas is compromised or even stopped
altogether, resulting in a skin injury.
Frostbite commonly occurs at the extremities: toes, fingers, tip
of the nose, earlobes, and cheeks.
In most circumstances, the wind chill factor determines how
quickly frostbite occurs.
Frostbite can also be much worse if the skin or clothing is wet at
the time of the cold exposure.

24. FROSTBITE
Frostbite comes in three different levels of severity.
Frostnip:
Skin appears white and waxy.
There is possible numbness or pain in affected areas.
No skin blistering occurs.
Superficial frostbite:
Skin appears white, blue, or gray.
Superficial skin feels hard but deeper tissue is soft and
insensitive to touch.
This is a serious medical condition; permanent damage is
imminent.
Skin blistering to affected areas is possible.

25. FROSTBITE
Deep frostbite:
Skin is white or blue and has a hard, wooden
feel.
The tissue underneath is hard and cold to
touch.
The entire area is numb.
Skin blistering occurs to affected areas.
It is a life-threatening emergency because of
probable hypothermia and later risk of

26. TREATMENT FOR FROSTBITE
• Do not rub area.
• Remove all wet clothing.
• Cover area with dry bandage and/or clothing.
• Gently rewarm the area by blowing warm air on area.
• Place the area against a warm body part.
• Place the area into warm (98°f –102°f) water for several
minutes.
• If not certain that the area will stay warm after rewarming, do
not rewarm it.
• Refreezing thawed frostbitten tissue can cause more extensive
tissue damage.
• If a person is also suffering from hypothermia, the first
concern is core rewarming.
• Transport the person to an emergency care facility as soon as
possible.

27. TO BE CONTINUED…