Laserfiche WebLink
Neil O.Anderson&Associates HASP Page 7 of 21 <br /> March 18, 2014 <br /> drink enough water during extreme heat. This type of heat exhaustion is characterized by <br /> extreme anxiety and agitation, intense thirst, headache, weakness, fever, lack of muscle <br /> coordination, and decreased sweating. <br /> ' The most critical problem in heat exhaustion is dehydration; salt loss poses an additional <br /> problem. Heat exhaustion normally strikes those who are poorly acclimatized and who <br /> suddenly participate in strenuous exercise in a hot climate. Their water and salt levels become <br /> unbalanced: either the salt depletion is greater than the water depletion, or vice versa. <br /> Primary signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are much like flu symptoms. They include the <br /> ' following: <br /> • Headache, giddiness, and extreme weakness <br /> ' Nausea and possible vomiting <br /> • Dizziness and faintness <br /> • Profuse sweating <br /> • Loss of appetite <br /> • Fatigue <br /> • Diarrhea <br /> • Dilated pupils <br /> • Weak and rapid pulse <br /> • Rapid, shallow breathing <br /> ' Pale, cool, sweaty skin, usually ashen gray in color <br /> • Possible heat cramps or muscle aches <br /> While the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion may seem similar to those of heat stroke to <br /> ' the casual observer or to an uninformed patient, there are some distinct differences, which will <br /> help make the correct evaluation. <br /> ' The two most reliable and distinct differences are the condition of the skin and the body <br /> temperature. In heat stroke, the skin is flushed and hot to the touch; patients experiencing <br /> heat exhaustion usually have wet or clammy, pale, cool skin. Body temperature in a patient <br /> ' with heat stroke can soar above 105° F; in a victim of heat exhaustion, it usually stays at <br /> normal or sometimes even dips below normal. <br /> ' Emergency care for a person who is experiencing heat exhaustion includes the following: <br /> • Move the patient to a cool place away from the source of heat, but make sure he/she <br /> ' does not become chilled. Apply cold, wet compresses to the skin, and fan the patient <br /> lightly. <br /> Have the patient lie down. Raise the feet 8 to 12 inches, and lower the head to help <br /> increase blood circulation to the brain. Remove as much of the patient's clothing as <br /> possible, and loosen what you can not remove. Help make the patient as comfortable <br /> as possible. <br /> 1 <br /> • If the patient is fully conscious, administer cool water at the rate of one-half glassful every 15 minutes for one hour. <br /> • If the patient is unconscious, remove his clothing and sponge with cool water. <br /> 1 <br /> ' 902 Industrial Way•Lodi,CA 95240-209.367.3701•Fax 209.333.8303 01014 Neil O.Anderson&Associates.Inc. <br /> L <br />