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BASIC GUIDELINESBASIC GUIDELINES

• EMS support is required at hazardous materials EMS support is required at hazardous materials incidents.incidents.

• Advanced Life Support is preferable if available.Advanced Life Support is preferable if available.

• It is critical to protect the responders as well as It is critical to protect the responders as well as the victims.the victims.

• Hazardous materials incidents have a very high Hazardous materials incidents have a very high potential for loss of life and serious injuries.potential for loss of life and serious injuries.

• A two-ambulance response is preferred. A two-ambulance response is preferred.

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PRE- AND POSTENTRY PRE- AND POSTENTRY MEDICAL EXAMSMEDICAL EXAMS

• Both exams should be done for all Both exams should be done for all entry team members, including entry team members, including backups.backups.

• Exams include a complete Exams include a complete prehospital medical assessment.prehospital medical assessment.

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HEAT-RELATED EMERGENCIESHEAT-RELATED EMERGENCIES

• Heat rashHeat rash

• Heat crampsHeat cramps

• Heat exhaustionHeat exhaustion

• Heat strokeHeat stroke

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HEAT RASHHEAT RASH

• Often no more than a minor Often no more than a minor irritation.irritation.

• The bodily part affected is a good The bodily part affected is a good avenue for toxins to enter through avenue for toxins to enter through absorption.absorption.

• It can lead to an increase in It can lead to an increase in mistakes.mistakes.

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HEAT CRAMPSHEAT CRAMPS

• Result from a loss of electrolytes.Result from a loss of electrolytes.

• Can lead to spasmodic contractions Can lead to spasmodic contractions and cramps.and cramps.

• Can be very dangerous in Can be very dangerous in hazardous environment.hazardous environment.

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HEAT EXHAUSTIONHEAT EXHAUSTION

• It consists of a rising core temperature.It consists of a rising core temperature.

• It may result in hypovolemia.It may result in hypovolemia.

• The skin becomes pale, moist, and cool.The skin becomes pale, moist, and cool.

• It is not life-threatening if treated in It is not life-threatening if treated in time.time.

• It can lead to heat stroke if not treated.It can lead to heat stroke if not treated.

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HEAT STROKEHEAT STROKE

• This is a breakdown of temperature This is a breakdown of temperature regulation.regulation.

• It is life-threatening.It is life-threatening.• It leads to hyperthermia.It leads to hyperthermia.• The skin becomes red, hot, and dry.The skin becomes red, hot, and dry.• The core temperature ranges as high The core temperature ranges as high

as 106° to 110°F.as 106° to 110°F.

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HEAT STROKE (cont'd)HEAT STROKE (cont'd)

• The pulse is fast and bounding.The pulse is fast and bounding.

• The blood pressure is elevated.The blood pressure is elevated.

• There can be seizures and muscular There can be seizures and muscular rigidity.rigidity.

• The pupils are dilated.The pupils are dilated.

• Coma and death are possible.Coma and death are possible.

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HEAT STROKE TREATMENTHEAT STROKE TREATMENT

• Rehydrating the victimRehydrating the victim

• Lowering the core temperatureLowering the core temperature

• Preventing hypothermiaPreventing hypothermia

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REST PERIODSREST PERIODS• Decisions should be made in concert with the Decisions should be made in concert with the

safety officer.safety officer.

• Responders' vital signs need to be monitored Responders' vital signs need to be monitored carefully.carefully.

• Guidelines for rest and recuperation:Guidelines for rest and recuperation:

<70°F about 30 minutes<70°F about 30 minutes

70°F to 85°F about 45 minutes70°F to 85°F about 45 minutes

>85°F about 60 minutes>85°F about 60 minutes