Hypothermia
Extremes of Temperature
The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidemics. Interestingly, the skin is the body' largest organ. It serves as the body's protective cover and plays a very important role in the defence against infection an in regulating temperature. The skin also has the ability to send messages to the brain via its receptors, to alert of changes in the environment.
Overexposure to either hot or cold environmental can result in the body being unable to maintain its normal temperature.
The responses generated by the body to compensate for significant temperature changes can lead to the impairment of vital bodily functions and even result in death if overexposure continues for an extended period of time.
The first aid provider may be required to manage conditions occurring as a rest of overexposure to cold environments, such as hypothermia and frostbite, or conditions occurring as a result of overexposure to hot and humid environments, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Overexposure to either hot or cold environmental can result in the body being unable to maintain its normal temperature.
The responses generated by the body to compensate for significant temperature changes can lead to the impairment of vital bodily functions and even result in death if overexposure continues for an extended period of time.
The first aid provider may be required to manage conditions occurring as a rest of overexposure to cold environments, such as hypothermia and frostbite, or conditions occurring as a result of overexposure to hot and humid environments, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Overexposure to cold
Hypothermia when the heat being generated by the body is insufficient and the body's temperature drops below 35 degrees celsius.
Situations that present a particular risk of hypothermia are typically those involving wet, windy and cold weather conditions, but also those involving bodies of water, such as when someone falls into or is stranded in cold water.
Hypothermia can come on in stages, becoming progressively more serious if first aid treatment is not provided.
The signs and symptoms the casualty experiences will generally be indicative of how severe the hypothermia is. This occurs according to a sequence:
Signs and symptoms of severe hypothermia can include:
The overriding principle for managing a mild severe hypothermic casualty is to reduce heat loss. For example
Be cautious not to re-warm a hypothermic casualty too quickly. The sudden introduction of too much heat can cause dangerous heart rhythms.
Situations that present a particular risk of hypothermia are typically those involving wet, windy and cold weather conditions, but also those involving bodies of water, such as when someone falls into or is stranded in cold water.
Hypothermia can come on in stages, becoming progressively more serious if first aid treatment is not provided.
The signs and symptoms the casualty experiences will generally be indicative of how severe the hypothermia is. This occurs according to a sequence:
- Shivering - an automatic response by the body to generate heat that does not occur when the body temperature falls below approximately 35 degrees celsius
- Lethargy
- Decreased motor and sensory function (lack of coordination, loss of sensation)
- Decreased level of consciousness
- Decreased effectiveness of the body's vital functions (for example, a slow pulse and sloe respiration rate)
- Unconsciousness and death
Signs and symptoms of severe hypothermia can include:
- Absence of shivering
- Incoherence
- Irrational behaviour
- Inability to walk
- Unconsciousness, with a death-like appearance
- Slow or irregular, weak pulse
- Slow, shallow breathing
The overriding principle for managing a mild severe hypothermic casualty is to reduce heat loss. For example
- Protect the casualty from wind, rain or snow
- Remove any wet clothing
- Have the casualty put on dry, warm clothing
- If the casualty cannot be protected from the whether, remove and replace wet clothing with dry clothing. Alternatively, wrap something war, and dry over their wet clothing to minimise the effects of wind chill
- If the casualty is not shivering and medical assistance is delayed, you will need to improve the casualty's ability to generate heat and re-warm them gently. This can be done by: - Increasing muscular activity
- - Increasing heat
- - Wrapping the casualty in blankets
- - Applying heat packs to areas where major blood vessels pass close to the skin, like the neck, armpits, groinand behind the knees
- - Sharing body heat
- If the casualty is conscious, give them warm food and drinks - DO NOT GIVE ALCOHOL
- Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
Be cautious not to re-warm a hypothermic casualty too quickly. The sudden introduction of too much heat can cause dangerous heart rhythms.
Frostbite
Frostbite is an extreme condition most commonly caused by exposure to sub-zero temperatures. It occurs most commonly in the extremities, particularly if they are directly exposed to the elements. For example the fingers, toes, ears and nose.
Degrees of frostbite
The depth of the dozen tissue determines the degree of severity. Frostbite is classified as:
The signs and symptoms of frostbite include:
Casualties with frostbite are likely to be hypothermic also. Always manage hypothermia before treating frostbite.
To treat casualty who is suffering from frostbite, follow these steps:
Tissue that has thawed on its own should not be actively re-warmed. Do not give alcohol or tobacco to a casualty with frostbite, as these will reduce circulation to the frozen tissue.
Degrees of frostbite
The depth of the dozen tissue determines the degree of severity. Frostbite is classified as:
- Incipient (also called frost nip) - affecting the tips of the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, toes and chin - However the skin will be blanched white, but this early stage is painless
- Superficial - affecting the skin and the tissues just beneath the skin - the skin will be firm and waxy, and the tissue beneath is soft, numb and will turn purple during thawing
- Deep - affecting the entire tissue depth - the tissue beneath the skin is solid and waxy white in colour with a purple tinge
The signs and symptoms of frostbite include:
- Numbness in the affected part
- Wax-like appearance to the skin
- Lack of movement
- Lack of circulation to the affected part
- Pain
Casualties with frostbite are likely to be hypothermic also. Always manage hypothermia before treating frostbite.
To treat casualty who is suffering from frostbite, follow these steps:
- Remove any clothing that restricts circle as well as any other items, such as jewellery, that may be affected by later swelling
- Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
- If the ambulance service or medical assistance is not readily available, place the affected part in warm water for between 15 minutes and 60 minutes - Do not use dry heat or water that is too hot (test with an elbow) as this will burn the frozen tissue
- Monitor the casualty closely for shock during the warming process
- Cover the affected part with a dry, sterile, bulky, protective dressing
Tissue that has thawed on its own should not be actively re-warmed. Do not give alcohol or tobacco to a casualty with frostbite, as these will reduce circulation to the frozen tissue.
Bibliography:
Queensland Ambulance Service, 2012, First Aid Manual
Queensland Ambulance Service, 2012, First Aid Manual