HYPOTHERMIA Aaron Toome Cameron Edwards Zach Schwanck AIMSOBJECTIVE
HYPOTHERMIA Aaron Toome, Cameron Edwards & Zach Schwanck
AIMS/OBJECTIVE 1) Be able to describe thermoregulation and identify its relationship to cold induced emergencies 2) Identify and explain the symptoms of hypothermia, frostbite, and non-freezing cold injuries 3) Be able to apply correct treatment methods for hypothermia and other cold related injuries 4) Describe and discuss preventative measure of hypothermia and other cold related injuries and circumstances
WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA • Occurs when core body temp. falls below 35 C • Body heat can be lost due to various reasons • 3 tiers of severity • Contrasting Conditions (Hyperthermia) • Body temperature rises above 40 C
MYTHBUSTERS EXAMPLE
HEAT LOSS • Convection • The flow of air or liquid across skin, drawing away heat • Eg. Exposure to wind & water • Conduction • Direct transfer from the body to an object of lower temperature • Eg. Laying on cold ground/surfaces • Radiation of heat from exposed areas of the body into the environment • Eg. Areas of exposed skin (head, hands, feet) • Evaporation • Fluid on the skin turns to vapour, drawing away heat in the process • Eg. Wet/moist skin, sweat, wet/damp clothes
HEAT PRODUCTION – BEFORE AND AFTER • Before Hypothermia Strikes • Layer up! • Prepare for harsh conditions • Water-proof gear (dry bags) – sleeping bag, tent, clothes • Replace wet clothes with dry items • Wrap in dry sleeping bag/blankets (emergency blanket) • Drink warm liquids (heat from inside out) • Move around to generate heat (if possible) • Use first aid heat-packs if available • After Hypothermia Strikes
ACTIVITY • Split into four groups • Patient 1 • Patient 2 • Patient 3 • Patient 4 • Each group will have a designated patient to assess and provide appropriate first aid • Determine what severity the patients hypothermia is.
3 SEVERITIES OF HYPOTHERMIA • Mild • Moderate • Severe
MILD HYPOTHERMIA SYMPTOMS • Signs and symptoms of mild hypothermia include: • Slight confusion • Lack of coordination • Pale and cool to touch as blood vessels constrict in the skin • Numbness in the extremities • Sluggish responses, drowsiness or lethargic • Shivering • Increased heart rate and breathing.
MODERATE • Moderate cases of hypothermia (generally with a body temperature of 28 -32 C) can include symptoms such as: • Decreasing conscious state • May have been incontinent of urine as a result of an increased workload on the kidneys related to blood being shunted to the major organs • Slowed heart rate, breathing rate and low blood pressure. • Confusion • Impaired judgement and reasoning (someone with hypothermia may decide to remove clothing despite being very cold) • Loss of co-ordination • Drowsiness • Slurred speech • People with a body temperature of 32 C or lower will usually stop shivering completely. This is a sign that their condition is deteriorating and emergency medical help is required
SEVERE • The symptoms of severe hypothermia (a body temperature of below 28 C) can include: • unconsciousness • shallow or no breathing • a weak, irregular pulse, or no pulse • dilated pupils • Individuals with severe hypothermia may appear deceased. • Medical treatment can resuscitate people
TREATMENT METHODS – MILD AND MODERATE • Move the person out of the cold – if this is not possible, protect them from wind, cover their head and insulate their body from the cold ground. If the person is moderately or severely hypothermic, move them as gently as possible. • Remove wet clothing – replace with a dry covering, preferably warm. Cover the person’s head. • Try to warm the person, Insulate them from the environment to retain whatever heat they are producing
TREATMENT METHODS - SEVERE • First aid steps for severe hypothermia include: In an emergency, call triple zero (000). • While waiting for help to arrive, monitor the person’s breathing. If they have severe hypothermia, their breathing may become dangerously slow or shallow, or they may cease breathing. • Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately if the person shows no signs of life – if they are not breathing normally, are unconscious or unresponsive, or not moving. • Never assume a person is dead. A person with severe hypothermia may only take one breath per minute, with a heart rate of less than 20 beats per minute. Always assume they are alive.
REFRESH ACTIVITY • You our out bushwalking and come across and individual who has been exposed to the weather overnight and are starting to show signs of moderate hypothermia. • What are the appropriate steps that should be taken to provide appropriate care to this individual?
REFERENCE LIST https: //www. betterhealth. vic. gov. au/healthyliving/hypothermia https: //www. google. com. au/search? q=dry+bags&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=919&source=lnms&tbm=isch& sa=X&ved=0 ah. UKEwjkj 7 e. Cxej. OAh. XMDMAKHfu 7 AJMQ_AUIByg. C#imgrc=p 1 n. Rj. J-Fbq. OG 8 M%3 A https: //www. google. com. au/search? q=first+aid+heat+pack&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=963&source=lnms&t bm=isch&sa=X&ved=0 ah. UKEwjl 3 Lbhx. Oj. OAh. Xh. Bs. AKHa. UJBa. YQ_AUIBig. B#imgrc=5 l. Fp. Q 9 Bx_ZWj 9 M% 3 A https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=-VLZTgz. Ul. X 0
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