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• • Haight Road Tank Removal NOA Project Number: E07174A January 2008 Dilated pupils Weak and rapid pulse • Rapid, shallow breathing • Pale, cool, sweaty skin, usually ashen gray in color • Possible heat cramps or muscle aches While the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion may seem similar to those of heat stroke to the casual observer or to an uninformed patient, there are some distinct differences, which will help make the correct evaluation. The two most reliable and distinct differences are the condition of the skin and the body temperature. In heat stroke, the skin is flushed and hot to the touch; patients experiencing heat exhaustion usually have wet or clammy, pale, coot skin. Body temperature in a patient with heat stroke can soar above 105° F; in a victim of heat exhaustion, it usually stays at normal or sometimes even dips below normal. Emergency care for a person who is experiencing heat exhaustion includes the following: • Move the patient to a cool place away from the source of heat, but make sure he/she does not become chilled. Apply cold, wet compresses to the skin, and fan the patient lightly. • Have the patient lie down. Raise the feet 8 to 12 inches, and lower the head to help increase blood circulation to the brain. Remove as much of the patient's clothing as possible, and loosen what you can not remove. Help make the patient as comfortable as possible. • If the patient is fully conscious, administer cool water at the rate of one-half glassful every 15 minutes for one hour. • If the patient is unconscious, remove his clothing and sponge with cool water. If the patient vomits, stop giving him fluids and transport immediately to a hospital, where he/she can receive intravenous fluids. There are two ways to prevent heat exhaustion. If un -acclimated, do not overexert the body. Keep persons well hydrated with liquids that can replace the electrolytes lost in sweat and have frequent rest periods in cool places. CAUTION: PEOPLE WITH HEART PROBLEMS OR THOSE ON "LOW- SODIUM" DIETS WHO WORK IN HOT ENVIRONMENTS SHOULD CONSULT A PHYSICIAN ABOUT POTENTIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. Heat Cramps Heat cramps are muscular spasms that occur when the body loses too much salt during profuse sweating, when not enough salt is taken into the body, when calcium levels are low, and when too much water is consumed. Occasionally, heat cramps also can be caused by overexerting muscles, inadequate stretching or warm-up, and lactic acid buildup in poorly conditioned muscles. Heat cramps can be mild or extremely painful. When the body becomes low on salt and water, the patient interprets it as thirst. To