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Chapter 5 of 6

Environmental and Exposure Emergencies

Extreme temperatures can quickly overwhelm the body's ability to regulate itself. Heatstroke is a medical emergency marked by a body temperature above \(40\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\) (\(104\,^{\circ}\mathrm{F}\)), hot dry skin, a rapid strong pulse, confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness. Effective cooling involves moving the casualty to shade, removing excess clothing, and fanning vigorously while applying cold wet sheets or water sprays to the skin, all while arranging immediate medical help. Hypothermia, the opposite problem, occurs when the core temperature falls below \(35\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\) (\(95\,^{\circ}\mathrm{F}\)) and shows early shivering, then cold pale skin, slow pulse and breathing, confusion, and eventually unconsciousness. Mild hypothermia is treated by moving the person to warmth, removing wet clothing, wrapping them in blankets or foil, offering warm sweet drinks if they are conscious, and avoiding alcohol or vigorous rubbing.

Drowning casualties must be removed from the water safely; once on stable ground, the airway, breathing, and circulation are checked, CPR is started immediately if breathing has stopped (even without confirming a pulse), hypothermia is treated as described above, and emergency services are called. Electrical shock begins with turning off the power source before any contact with the casualty, after which responsiveness is assessed, any burns are treated, and the heart is monitored for rhythm disturbances. Insect stings are usually minor: the stinger is removed by scraping with the edge of a card (not tweezers, which can squeeze more venom in), the area washed with soap and water, a cold pack applied, and the person observed for allergic reactions that could progress to anaphylaxis.

Poisoning and envenomation require special caution. Signs of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, seizures, burns around the mouth, or unusual chemical smells, and the correct response is to call poison control immediately rather than to act on assumptions. Vomiting should never be induced unless specifically instructed, since it can worsen internal damage; instead, details about the substance and amount should be relayed to professionals. Snakebites are managed by immobilizing the bitten limb, keeping it at heart level, marking the bite site and tracking swelling progression, and avoiding tourniquets, cutting, or suction while seeking antivenom urgently.

All chapters
  1. 1Foundations of First Aid
  2. 2Airway, Breathing, and Circulation Emergencies
  3. 3Medical Emergencies
  4. 4Injuries and Wound Care
  5. 5Environmental and Exposure Emergencies
  6. 6Preparedness and Good Practice

Drill it

Reading is not remembering. These come from the First Aid Essentials deck:

Q

What is first aid?

First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to a person who is injured or suddenly ill to prevent their condition from worsening, promote recovery, or p...

Q

Why is first aid important?

First aid is crucial because it can save lives, reduce pain and suffering, prevent complications, and minimize long-term disability by providing timely interven...

Q

What does the acronym DRABC stand for in first aid assessment?

DRABC stands for Danger (check scene safety), Response (assess consciousness), Airway (open and clear), Breathing (check rate and quality), and Circulation (che...

Q

What should you do first upon arriving at an emergency scene?

Ensure the scene is safe for yourself, bystanders, and the casualty before approaching; remove any dangers if possible without risking your safety.