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Firefighters & Heat Related Illness Training

Firefighters & Heat Related Illness Training. Environmental Factors. Air temperature Relative Humidity Radiant heat Conductive heat Air movement Workload intensity & duration Personal protective equipment. Personal Factors. Age Degree of acclimation Medical conditions

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Firefighters & Heat Related Illness Training

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  1. Firefighters &Heat Related Illness Training

  2. Environmental Factors Air temperature Relative Humidity Radiant heat Conductive heat Air movement Workload intensity & duration Personal protective equipment

  3. Personal Factors Age Degree of acclimation Medical conditions Water consumption Alcohol & caffeine consumption Nicotine use Medications Physiological response to heat

  4. Miliaria (Prickly Heat) • An acute inflammatory disease of the skin. • The sweat ducts become plugged and a rash appears. • Might occur after wearing personal protective clothing. • More annoying than debilitating. • Prevention can be achieved by resting in a cool place for portions of the work cycle, by bathing and drying the skin, and changing regularly into clean, dry clothes.

  5. Heat Syncope • Usually occurs in individuals who are not accustomed to hot environments and who have usually undergone prolonged standing, usually with the knees straight and locked. • Heat can cause dilating of large blood vessels and pooling into the lower extremities. This result is lesser blood flow to the brain. • Once supine, the individual usually recovers. • The patient can prevent further fainting by moving around.

  6. Heat Cramps • Excessive sweating that results in loss of electrolytes (especially sodium) • Cramps typically affect the voluntary muscles of the extremities and in some cases the abdominal wall (side stickers). • Body temperature is usually normal. • Heat cramps respond well to rest in a cool environment and replacement of fluids by mouth. • Heat cramps are early warning signs of a potentially more serious situation. • Saline solution (0.1%) by mouth and/or saline solution (0.9%) intravenous should be administered.

  7. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion • Fainting • Profuse sweating • Headache • Tingling sensations in the extremities • Pallor (ashen color of the face) • Dyspnea (shortness of breath) • Nausea • Vomiting

  8. Treatment for Heat Exhaustion • Elevate the patient's legs and remove from the heat to a cool place. • Water and/or salt replacement should be undertaken. • Replacement of fluid using intravenous methods should be used. • Mandatory continuous monitoring of the patient's condition in the field and evaluation of the patient's electrolyte status at a hospital. • Recovery from heat exhaustion is usually rapid, but immediate return to duty is not advisable.

  9. Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke • Heat stroke victims have a high probability of permanent disability or death. • Results when the body's temperature regulating and cooling mechanisms are no longer functional. • Fainting, disorientation, excessive fatigue and other symptoms of heat exhaustion are precursors. • Onset of heat stroke may be rapid with sudden delirium, loss of consciousness and convulsions occurring. • The skin is hot, flushed and dry, although the skin may be wet and clammy in later stages of the condition when shock may be present.

  10. Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke • Rectal temperatures are elevated, frequently in excess of 106°F. • Pulse is full and rapid, while the systolic blood pressure may be normal or elevated and the diastolic pressure may be depressed to 60 mm Hg or lower. • Respirations are rapid and deep. • As a patient's condition worsens, symptoms of shock. • Incontinence, vomiting, kidney failure, pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest may follow.

  11. Treatment for Heat Stroke • Even if effective treatment is initiated and the patient survives the initial episode, severe relapses can occur for several days. • Lower the body's temperature as rapidly as possible. • Active cooling of heat stroke patients can reduce mortality rates from 50% to 5%. • The patient's clothing should be removed. • If cold or ice water is available, the patient should be doused with and/or immersed in the water.

  12. Treatment for Heat Stroke • Cover the nude patient with a cotton sheet, continuously douse it with water and fan them. • Apply cold packs to the carotid arteries. • Place legs in a shock recovery position. • Transport to a hospital as soon as possible. • Normal saline (0.9%) should be cautiously administered intravenously. • Oxygen should be administered if cyanosis, pulmonary congestion, or breathing difficulty is present.

  13. Proper Hydration • The most critical factor in prevention of heat injury. • Water must be replaced, both during exercise periods and at emergency scenes. • Thirst should not be relied upon to stimulate drinking. • Cool water and cups must be readily available at both exercise areas and emergency scenes and drinking encouraged.

  14. Drink water frequently!! Know the signs & symptoms of heat related illness Avoid caffeine & heavy meals during work. Work smart: acclimate, wear appropriate clothing, take regular breaks Keep an eye on each other

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