Mountain

Safety

MS 1_6:FA Basics

(Dehydration & Heat Illnesses)

Learning Intention:

To equip you with the knowledge to avoid and treat heat illnesses.

Success Criteria:By the end of this session everyone should be able to:• Describe what steps to take to avoid, recognise and treat heat-related illnesses when walking.

Activities:1. Discussion/Powerpoint:

- What is a heat illness?- What can you do to avoid them?- How should you treat them?

2. Scenario

What is a heat illness?

Heat rashSunburnHeat crampsHeat exhaustionHeat stroke

Heat Illnesses (“Hyperthermia”)Severi

ty

American Meteorological Society Central North Carolina Chapter

April 21, 2005

First Aid: Practice good personal hygiene; keep the skin clean and the pores unclogged, allow skin to dry, wear loose clothing.

Heat Rash (prickly heat)

Symptoms: Skin becomes reddened and may itch, feel prickly or hurt.

First Aid: Move into shade or cover minor burns with light cloth, frequent sips of water, cool skin by sponging with water, apply after-sun.

Sunburn

Symptoms: Skin becomes reddened, pain, blistering in severe cases.

Symptoms: Cramping of either active muscles (arms, legs) or involuntary (usually abdominal) muscles (or both).

First Aid: Replenish electrolytes through drinking of fluids such as sports drinks etc. Rest in a cool environment.

Heat Cramps:

Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, weakness headache, blurred vision, profuse sweating, cold/wet (clammy) grayish skin, unconsciousness, coma and death.

First Aid: Lie down in a cool location, administer fluids if conscious. If unconscious, seek medical care.

Heat Exhaustion:

Symptoms: Chills, restlessness, irritability, euphoria, red face and skin, disorientation, hot/dry skin (not always), collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions and death.

First Aid: Immediate, aggressive cooling of the victim’s body using wet cloths, immersion into cold water or alcohol wipes. Contact emergency services ASAP!

Heat Stroke:

Avoidance

Remove clothing layers Stop & rest

Drink little & often to avoid dehydration

Move into shade

Sun-hat and or sun-screen

Dehydration

fluid loss time* effect & symptoms (* timing may vary based on intensity of

exercise and heat/humidity)

0.75 L 1 hr unnoticed (at 1.5% weight loss you are considered dehydrated)

1.5 L 2-3 hrs loss of endurance, start to feel thirsty, feel hot, uncomfortable

2.25 L 3-4 hrs loss of strength, loss of energy, moderate discomfort

3 L 4-5 hrs cramps, headaches, extreme discomfort

3.5-4 L 5-6 hrs heat exhaustion, nausea, faint

5+ L 7+ hrs heat stroke, collapse, unconsciousnesstaken from: OH&S Canada Volume 69, Number 5, page 52, May 2000

What to drink:

• Water is the best; juices are also good (juices contain energy restoring glucose).

• Electrolyte (sports) drinks (e.g. Powerade) are usually not needed (but can be used for first aid for cramps).

• Stay away from caffeinated carbonated, diet drinks and alcohol as they take water out of your body.

How Much Water is Enough?

• More than you want just to satisfy your thirst

• Sources of water are:1. Fluids – ½ pint = 250 mL every 30-60 min2. Foods - fruit & veggies are 90% water

• Not too cold

You can and should replace essential elements lost during sweating; Eat a balanced diet rather than taking salt tablets or drinking expensive sports drinks.

You can and should replace essential elements lost during sweating; Eat a balanced diet rather than taking salt tablets or drinking expensive sports drinks.

Eat HealthilyEat Healthily

Watch out for each other!

• Someone heading into a heat stroke will no longer realise what is happening to him/her

• It is vital that group members be able to recognise what is happening and intervene

• Without quick attention, the person may die!

Treatment

General advice:

Lie down in shade

Remove outer clothing

Sip water

Cool with damp cloth, especially head & neck

Questions?