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Similar to Chapter 20 Cold-Related Emergencies
Chapter 20 Cold-Related Emergencies
- 1.
- 2. Cold-Related Emergencies • Whensurrounded by air or water cooler than body temperature, body loses heat. • Normal body temperature is 98.6°F. • If heat escapes faster than the body produces it, the body temperature falls, and cold injuries result.
- 3. How Cold Affectsthe Body (1 of 2) • The body has two internal mechanisms to maintain body temperature. • Vasoconstriction • Tightening of blood vessels • Can cause discomfort, numbness, loss of dexterity, cold injuries • Shivering • Stops when core temperature falls between 86 and 90°F
- 4. How Cold Affectsthe Body (2 of 2) • Physical activity produces heat. • Heat loss increases if clothes become wet with perspiration. • Susceptibility can be minimized by: • Proper hydration and nutrition • Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine • Limiting periods of inactivity
- 5. Heat Loss fromthe Body (1 of 2) • Four mechanisms of heat loss: • Conduction • Direct contact with colder object • Convection • Loss of heat by air blowing over skin • Evaporation • Conversion of liquid on skin to vapor
- 6. Heat Loss fromthe Body (2 of 2) • Four mechanisms of heat loss (cont’d): • Radiation • Heat given off to cooler air • Accounts for the greatest heat loss
- 7. Susceptibility to ColdInjury • Physically unfit • Dehydration • Very lean people • Elderly people • Alcohol, caffeine • Nicotine • Inadequate nutrition, illness, injury • Experienced a previous cold injury
- 8. Effects of Altitude •Air temperature drops 3.6°F every 1,000 feet. • Winds are more severe. • More susceptible to frostbite above 8,000 feet
- 9. Effects of Water •Water can conduct heat away from the body much faster than air of the same temperature. • Wet clothing accelerates heat loss.
- 10. Effects of Wind •Wind increases heat loss from skin exposed to cold air. • Windchill is the combined effect of the ambient temperature and wind speed.
- 11. Effects of Metaland Liquid Fuels • Can conduct heat away from skin rapidly • Contact can cause almost instantaneous freezing
- 12. Minimizing Effects ofCold on the Body (1 of 2) •Layering • Undergarment removes perspiration • Wicking properties © Simon Price/Alamy Images
- 13. Minimizing Effects ofCold on the Body (2 of 2) • Middle layer insulates. • Should be effective when wet. • Synthetics are better than natural fibers. • Wool • Outer layer protects against wind. • Waterproof • Wind resistant • “Breathable” • Hat
- 14. Nonfreezing Cold Injuries •Can occur when conditions are cold and wet and hands and feet cannot be kept warm and dry
- 15. Chilblain • Is painful •Causes little or no permanent damage • Can develop in 3 to 6 hours
- 16. Recognizing Chilblain • Swollenskin • Skin is tender, hot to the touch, and possibly itchy. • Blisters • Aching, prickly sensation, numbness
- 17. Care for Chilblain •Get victim out of cold.
- 18. Trench Foot • Developswhen skin on the feet is exposed to moisture and cold for 12 hours or longer. • Caused by: • Wearing wet boots and shoes • Prolonged immersion of the feet in cold water • Rubberized or tight-fitting boots increase risk.
- 19. Recognizing Trench Footand Immersion Foot • Itching, numbness, tingling pain • Swollen feet and pale skin cold to touch • Red or bluish blotches on the skin • Sometimes open weeping or bleeding
- 20. Care for TrenchFoot • Dry the skin. • Rewarm foot gradually. • Care for open weeping areas. • Use mild soap and water. • Apply a breathable dressing.
- 21. Freezing Cold Injuries •Occur when air temperature is below freezing • Frostnip • Freezing is limited to skin surface. • Frostbite • Freezing extends into the flesh.
- 22. Frostnip • Frostnip is causedwhen water on the skin surface freezes. Courtesy of Neil Malcom Winkelmann
- 23. Recognizing Frostnip • Redand sometimes swollen skin • Painful • Repeated frostnip can dry the skin.
- 24. Care for Frostnip •Gently warm affected area. • Do not rub the affected area.
- 25. Frostbite • Two waysof damage: • Tissue freezing • Obstruction of blood supply to the tissue • Affects feet, hands, ears, and nose
- 26. Recognizing Frostbite (1of 2) • White, waxy, or grayish yellow skin • Part feels cold and numb • Tingling, stinging, aching • Stiff or crusty skin • Underlying tissue is soft
- 27. Recognizing Frostbite (2of 2) Indications of deep frostbite: •Part feels cold, hard, and solid and cannot be depressed. • Blisters • Pale, waxy skin • Painfully cold part suddenly stops hurting
- 28. Classifications of Frostbite •First-degree • Warm, swollen, and tender • Second-degree • Blisters form. • Enlarges over several days. • Third-degree • Small blisters with reddish-blue or purplish fluid • Red or blue skin • Might not blanch • Fourth-degree • No blisters or swelling. • Part remains numb, cold, and purple.
- 29. Care for Frostbite(1 of 2) • Get victim to warm area. • Remove wet clothing and constricting items. • Seek medical care. • If affected part is partially thawed: • Place part in warm water. • Maintain water temperature. • 20 to 40 minutes • Give pain medication. • Apply warm cloths to ear or facial injuries.
- 30. Care for Frostbite(2 of 2) • After thawing: • Treat the victim as a stretcher case. • Protect area from contact with clothing and bedding. • Place dry gauze between toes and fingers. • Slightly elevate the affected part. • Apply aloe vera gel. • Provide pain medication.
- 31. Hypothermia • A life-threateningcondition in which the body’s core temperature falls below 95°F • Body loses more heat than it produces. • Heartbeat/breathing may be undetected • Begin CPR immediately. • Consider whenever victim’s behavior and history and the weather conditions indicate abnormal heat loss
- 32. Types of Exposure •Acute • Usually in water • 6 hours or less • Subacute • 6 to 24 hours • Land or water • Chronic • Occurs on land • Exceeds 24 hours
- 33. Hypothermia Symptoms • Changein mental status • Disorientation • Apathy • Changes in personality • Shivering • Cool abdomen • Low core body temperature
- 34. Types of Hypothermia •Mild to severe based on core body temperature • In severe cases, shivering stops. • Do not start CPR if: • Core body temperature is below 60°F. • Chest is frozen. • Submerged in water for more than 60 minutes. • A lethal injury exists. • Transport will be delayed. • Rescuers are endangered.
- 35. Recognizing Mild Hypothermia •Vigorous, uncontrolled shivering • Decreased mental skills • Slurred speech • Difficulty using fingers or hands • Staggers while walking • Cool or cold skin on abdomen, chest, or back • Core body temperature above 90°F
- 36. Care for MildHypothermia • Get victim out of cold. • Handle gently. • Prevent heat loss. • Cover the victim with a vapor barrier. • Keep the victim horizontal. • Call 9-1-1. • Allow the victim to shiver. • Give warm, sugary drinks.
- 37. Recognizing Severe Hypothermia • Noshivering • Ice cold and blue skin • Stiff and rigid muscles • Altered mental status • Slow breathing and pulse • Might appear dead. • Core body temperature is below 90°F.
- 38. Care for SevereHypothermia • Get victim out of the cold. • Handle gently. • Prevent heat loss. • Cover with vapor barrier. • Keep victim horizontal. • Call 9-1-1. • When remote, warm by available heat.
- 39. Adding Heat • Problemswith rewarming: • Warm water immersion requires a lot of warm water and a bathtub. • Body-to-body contact in insulated sleeping bag is not better than shivering. • No evidence that chemical heating pads are capable of rewarming a hypothermic victim.
- 40. Dehydration (1 of2) • Occurs because of unperceived fluid loss combined with inadequate fluid intake. • Cold weather: fluid lost through breath • Drink even if not thirsty • Inactive: drink two quarts of water daily • Color and volume of urine indicate hydration.
- 41. Dehydration (2 of2) • Unmelted snow and ice should not be consumed for water. • Irritates the mouth. • Wastes body heat • Lowers body temperature • Be sure snow and ice are disinfected before consumption.