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Weather Injury Prevention & Hot/Cold
Weather Injury Prevention
6/22/2011 1
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Heat Injury Prevention
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Objectives
Soldiers are able to describe how the body handles heat to include;
conditions affecting body heat, heat gain or loss, effects of heat
stress and the bodys cooling system
Soldiers can describe the causes, symptoms, and apply initial first
aid to soldiers that are victims of minor heat stress disorders.Soldiers are able to describe prevention measures.
Soldiers can describe the causes, symptoms, and apply initial first
aid to soldiers that are victims of major heat stress disorders.
Soldiers are able to describe prevention measures.
Soldiers can describe factors that control heat stress.
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Heat Stress
High temperatures put stress on our bodies. The
bodys cooling system has to work hard to reduce theeffects of heat stress. This physical strain -- combined
with other stresses such as energy loss and heat
production through physical work and loss of fluid
from sweating -- may lead to heat disorders,disability, or even death.
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The Hazard of Heat Stress
In addition to the medical hazards of bodily illness orinjury caused by heat stress, there is also a higher
frequency of accidents in hot environments.
Direct causes of accidents include;
Fogged glasses
Sweat in the eyes Slippery hands
Dizziness or fainting
Indirect causes of accidents include;
Physical discomfort
Fatigue
Irritability and anger
Poor judgment
Diverting attention from the job
Slower mental and physical job reactions
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Coping with the hazards
Heat disorders are preventable with proper planning,
supervision and training. Steps you can take to cope
with the hazards of heat stress include:
Understanding the effects of heat stress. Knowing the symptoms and treatment for heat stress
disorders.
Taking personal precautions against heat disorders.
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How the Body Handles Heat
Conditions Affecting Body Heat
To understand the effects of heat stress you need to
know how the body handles heat. Your body always
generates internal heat, but the amount of heat that
stays stored in your body depends on your: Surroundings
Level of physical activity
Type of work
Time spent working Recovery time between work periods
Ability of the body to dissipate heat (clothing, ability to
sweat).
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The amount and speed of heat gain or loss
depends on:
Temperature of the air and surrounding objects.
Air movement (wind or fans).
Humidity (amount of water vapor in the air).
How the Body Handles Heat (cont.)
Heat Gain or Loss
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How the Body Handles Heat (cont.)
Effects of Heat Stress
While resting, the body loses 75 percent of its heat
through conduction, convection or radiation from
the blood flow at the skin surface. However, as
internal body heat rises as the result of work orhigh temperatures, blood flow to the skin
increases and the pulse rate goes up, putting a
strain on the heart and circulatory system.
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When more blood is pumped close to the skin, less
blood goes to the brain. Sudden movements can result
in dizziness or a momentary blackout, which could cause
secondary injuries or accidents at a job site.
If the temperature of the air and surrounding objects in
your work area rises above body temperatures, it
becomes very difficult for your body to cool. The
evaporation of sweat becomes the bodys most
important-and sometimes only-cooling method.
How the Body Handles Heat (cont.)
Your Bodys Cooling System
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How the Body Handles Heat (cont.)
Your Bodys Cooling System
Sweating can make things worse by causing you to
lose body fluids and salt. Most people lose about a
quart of sweat an hour while working in extreme heat.
This strains the circulatory system since it actually
lowers the volume of blood in your body. Sweating may not be enough to get rid of heat, since
sweat must evaporate to cool your body. If the air is
too full of water vapor to absorb any more, you can
work directly in front of a fan and still not losesufficient heat to keep cool.
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Finally, if your bodys natural defenses against heat are
pushed beyond their limits, they may simply shut down,
leading to an uncontrolled and explosive rise in body
temperature that can cause heat stroke, permanent
damage to the central nervous system or death.
How the Body Handles Heat (cont.)
Your Bodys Cooling System
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Minor Heat Stress Disorders
Sunburn
Sunburn is often overlooked as a danger when working outdoors in direct sunlight. Besides the
discomfort of the burn itself, sunburn can prevent your body from eliminating heat efficiently and
can contribute to one of the more dangerous heat disorders.
Cause Exposure of unprotected skin to ultraviolet light.
Symptoms First degree-red, painful skin.
Second degree-blistering and/or peeling.
Treatments Skin lotions.
Topical anesthetics
S
taying in a shaded area. PREVENTION IS THE KEY
Limit exposure on bare skin.
Use sunscreen instead of tanning lotion.
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Minor Heat Stress Disorders
Heat Rash
Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is another minor annoyance that can
lower the bodys ability to lose heat.
Cause Hot, humid environment.
Sweat wont evaporate.
Skin stays wet most of the time.
Symptoms Red rash
Itching
Treatment Ointment
Prevention Bathe regularly.
Keep skin clean and dry
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Major Heat Stress Disorders
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are always a danger signal since they may occur alone or becombined with one of the other major heat stress disorders. These are
painful-sometimes severe-cramps of the muscles used while working,
such as the arms, legs, back, or abdomen.
Cause Sweating heavily
R
eplacing water but not salt. Symptoms
Sudden onset of muscle cramping.
Normal pulse.
Normal to slightly high body temperature
Prevention
Move into the shade or improvise. Loosen clothing.
Drink lightly salted liquids
Wait to see if symptoms go away
Seek medical aid if the cramps persist.
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Heat exhaustion occurs when the bodys heat-control mechanism is
overactive but hasnt broken down completely. The victim may also behaving heat cramps, and there is a high risk that the victim will continue
on to a state of heat stroke. This disorder also causes special risk to
older personnel or those with coronary artery disease or emphysema.
Cause Surface blood vessels that enlarged to cool the blood collapse from loss of body fluids
and minerals.
Symptoms Heavy sweating
Intense thirst from dehydration.
Weak and rapid pulse (120 to 200)
Low to normal blood pressure.
Fatigue, weakness or loss of coordination.
OtherSymptoms of Heat Exhaustion Anxiety or agitation.
Clouded senses, impaired judgment, fainting.
Tingling in hands and feet, headache.
Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.
Hyperventilation (rapid breathing or panting).
Major Heat Stress Disorders
HeatExhaustion
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Major Heat Stress Disorders
HeatExhaustion (cont.)
First-aid Treatment Move the victim into the shade.
Loosen or remove clothing and boots.
Cool the victim as fast as possible.
Fan the victim.
If necessary, pour water on the victim
Elevate the victims legs and massage limbs. Have the victim drink water-with salt, if available.
Stay with the victim until medical aid arrives.
Victims of heat exhaustion must be examined by a
qualified medical practitioner and should not
participate in strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
Bed rest and restoration of body water and salt
usually are all the treatment needed.
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Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention.Outwardly, it may first progress through the symptoms of heat cramps
and/or heat exhaustion, with a dramatically sudden onset of heat stroke
symptoms followed by rapid deterioration of the victim.
Cause
When the bodys cooling mechanisms fail, rising internal body temperature begins todamage internal organ systems. Death can result if the internal temperature remains
high.
Early Symptoms of Heat Stroke High body temperature -- usually above 104 degrees F.
Confusion or delirium.
Bizarre behavior.
Rapid pulse.
Difficult breathing.
Headache or dizziness.
Weakness, nausea or vomiting.
Major Heat Stress Disorders
Heat Stroke
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Advanced Symptoms Seizure or convulsions.
Collapse.
Loss of consciousness.
Deep coma.
No detectable pulse.
Body temperature over 108 degrees F.
First-aid Treatment
The most important step is prompt recognition of heat stroke symptoms
and immediate treatment. You must lower the victims body temperature as fast as possible.
Immerse him in cold water. Dont give liquids to unconscious victims.
Call an ambulance and evacuate the victim to a hospital.
Major Heat Stress Disorders
Heat Stroke (cont.)
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Controlling Heat Stress
Acclimatization
If you cant control temperature or humidity in your workplace, you must
become acclimatized to it. Acclimatization is the ability to perform a
maximum amount of strenuous work in the heat by gradually getting
yourself used to the climate you work in.
First, get yourself into good physical condition. Physical work in the heat is
necessary for full acclimatization, but it should consist of increasingly longer
work periods each day, alternating with rest or lighter work.
Some workers reach full acclimatization within a week, while others take
longer. But if you go on vacation, remember that you will start losing yourresistance to heat after one week and youll lose it completely in a month.
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Follow scheduled work/rest cycles that keep any individual from
overdoing it. Remember, rest means minimal activity, not
stopping work completely. Workers may alternate light and
heavy work, indoor and outdoor work, etc.
Duties may also be rotated among several workers to protect
them from heat, and workload can be adjusted on body size or
physical strength.
Exertional heat illness is produced primarily by working people
too hard, too fast, and/or too long for their physical and medical
state and the environmental conditions.
Controlling Heat Stress
Work Procedures
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Heavy meals reduce your ability to get rid of heat because they redirectblood flow to your digestive tract instead of your skin surface. Be sure
your noon meal is light and cool, then try to rest for a while right after
eating. Plan your heaviest meal of the day for evening after the
workday is over.
Drink 5 to 7 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you dont
feel thirsty. Water temperature should be 50 to 60 degrees F for betterabsorption by the body. If sweating heavily, one quart of water per
hour is recommended.
Consuming drinks designed to replace blood fluids and electrolytes is
okay, but never drink alcoholic beverages, since alcohol dehydrates the
body.
Except when treating specific disorders, salt supplements are not
recommended. Normally-salted meals provide adequate salt even in
hot environments.
Controlling Heat Stress
Food andWater Intake
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Summary
Some of the factors affecting heat stress are things you can control --
such as the amount of water you drink -- while others are not. For
your safety, here is a summary of physical conditions that can hurtyour bodys natural ability to withstand high temperatures:
Dehydration y Diarrhea
Exposure to high temperatures at night
Fatigue
y Recent immunizations
Improper work procedures y Loss of sleep
Lack of acclimatization y Medications
Older age (over 40) y Obesity
Previous occurrence of heat stroke.
Poor physical conditioning
Recent drug or alcohol use (within 24 hours)
Skin Trauma (heat rash or sunburn)
Wrong type or amount of clothing.
(Light, loose-fitting clothing is recommended)
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COLD INJURIES: DESCRIPTION,
T
REATM
ENT
AND PREVENT
IO
N
Prepared by:
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
(800) 222-9698/ DSN 584-4375/(410) 436-4375
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil
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Susceptibility Factors
Previous cold weatherinjury
Inadequate nutrition
Alcohol, caffeine,nicotine
Dehydration
Overactivity
Underactivity
Long exposure to thecold
Sick or injured
Acclimatization
Ethnic/geographicorigin
Wind, cold, rain
Age
Discipline and morale
Physical stamina
Inadequate training
Poor clothing and equip
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Prevention
Eat properly and often
Drink warm liquids (non-caffeinated) and water
Wear uniform properly (layers worn loosely)
Keep active Stay dry
Use warming tents
Get plenty of rest
Buddy watch/observation/NCO checks
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Hypothermia
MEDICAL EMERGENCY; life threatening condition
Severe body heat loss-body temp falls below 95oF
Occurs when:
conditions are windy, clothing is wet, and/or the individualis inactive
extended water exposure or immersion
1 hour or less when water temp is below 45oF
prolonged exposure in slightly cool water (e.g. 60oF)
thunderstorms, hail, rain and accompanying winds
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Hypothermia
Initial Symptoms shivering
dizzy, drowsy
withdrawn behavior irritability
confusion
slowed, slurredspeech
altered vision
stumbling
Severe Stages
stops shivering
desire to lie down
and sleep heartbeat and
breathing is faint or
undetectable
unconsciousnessfollowed by DEATH
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Hypothermia
Treatment
prevent further cold exposure
evacuate immediately if severe hypothermia
remove wet clothing
rewarm with body-to-body contact or in a warmed
sleeping bag
warm, sweet liquids if conscious
give CPR if needed
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Frostbite
Air temps below 32oF
skin freezes at 28oF
Superficial frostbite (mild)
freezing of skin surface
Deep frostbite (severe) freezing of skin and flesh, may include bone
Hands, fingers, feet, toes, ears, chin, nose, groin area
Symptoms initially redness in light skin or grayish in dark skin
tingling, stinging sensation
turns numb, yellowish, waxy or gray color
feels cold, stiff, woody
blisters may develop
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Frostbite
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Frostbite
Treatment remove from cold and prevent further heat loss
remove constricting clothing and jewelry
rewarm affected area evenly with body heat untilpain returns when skin thaws it hurts!!
do not rewarm a frostbite injury if it could refreeze duringevacuation or if victim must walk for medical treatment
do not massage affected parts or rub with snow evacuate for medical treatment
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Chilblains
Nonfreezing cold injury
Cold, wet conditions (between 32-60oF, high humidity)
Repeated, prolonged exposure of bare skin
Can develop in only a few hours
Ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, and toes
Symptoms:
initially pale and colorless
worsens to achy, prickly sensation then numbness red, swollen, hot, itchy, tender skin upon rewarming
blistering in severe cases
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Chillblains
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Chilblains
Treatment
prevent further exposure
wash, dry gently
rewarm (apply body heat)
dont massage or rub
dry sterile dressing
seek medical aid
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Trench/Immersion Foot
Potentially crippling, nonfreezing injury (temps from 50oF-32oF)
Prolonged exposure of skin to moisture (12 or more hours, days)
High risk during wet weather, in wet areas, or sweat accumulated in boots
or gloves
Symptoms
initially appears wet, soggy, white, shriveled
sensations of pins and needles, tingling, numbness, and then pain
skin discoloration-red, bluish, or black
becomes cold, swollen, and waxy appearance
may develop blisters, open weeping or bleeding
in extreme cases, flesh dies
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Trench/Immersion Foot
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Trench/Immersion Foot
Treatment
prevent further exposure
dry carefully
D
O NOT
break blisters, apply lotions, massage,expose to heat, or allow to walk on injury
rewarm with body heat
clean and wrap loosely
elevate feet to reduce swelling
evacuate for medical treatment
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Dehydration
A loss of body fluids to the point of slowing
or preventing normal body functions
Increases chance of becoming a coldweather casualty, esp hypothermia
Can lead to heat cramps or heat
exhaustion
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Dehydration
Symptoms dark urine
headache
dizziness, nausea weakness
dry mouth, tongue,throat, lips
lack of appetite
stomach cramps orvomiting
irritability
decreased amount of
urine being produced mental sluggishness
increased or rapid
heartbeat
lethargic unconsciousness
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Dehydration
Treatment
drinkWATER or other warm liquids
avoid caffeinated liquids (sodas, coffee, tea)
do not eat snow
rest
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Conclusion
Dress properly
Drink plenty of fluids
Eat right Keep in shape
Get plenty of rest
Minimize periods of inactivity Maintain a positive attitude
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ReferenceMaterials
Center forArmy Lessons Learned Newsletter No. 97-5 Winning inthe Winter
Technical Note No. 92-2 Sustaining Health and Performance in theCold: Environmental Medicine Guidance for Cold-WeatherOperations
TC 21-3 Soldiers Handbook for Individual Operations and Survivalin Cold-Weather Areas
FM 31-70 Basic Cold Weather Manual
FM 21-10 Field Hygiene and Sanitation
FM 21-11 First Aid for Soldiers
TB MED 81 Cold Injury
FD Pam 40-5 Win in the Heat and Cold: Climatic Injury PreventionGuide
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ReferenceMaterials
CalculatingWind Chill Equivalent Temperature
(WCET)
Find wind speed on left side of chart
Find actual temperature on top row
Wind chill equivalent temperature located where
the two intersect
Website: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/wind chill
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