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Be prepared for heat emergencies
with temperatures topping 90-95% in Indiana I have noticed that the run volume has increased dramatically for heat related emergencies. As firefighters we need to take extra precautions during extremely hot days so that we don't become a victem ourselves.
Take some preventative measures and make sure that you stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
On scene make sure you check the tough guy attitude and visit rehab frequently. I've seen many guys think that they are too macho to take a breather, toss off the gear and sit down in the shade and rest for a while. It is very easy to overdo oneself during hot weather.
Be aware of the signs and symtoms of heat stroke: nausea, vomiting, fatique, weakness, headache, muscle cramps & aches, dizziness.
Symptons & signs of heat stroke include: high body temperature, absence of sweating w/ hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure & coma.
Heat stroke victems must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. Get them to a shady or cool area. Remove clothing and apply cool or tepid water to the skin. Fan the victem to promote sweating & evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groin. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees F. Always notify emergency services if needed for transport or advanced care.
I know that what we do as firefighters puts us at greater risk for heat related emergencies. It is especially important that we realize and understand these risks and be actively dilligent in recognizing and preventing them through proper fireground safety measures.
Stay cool everyone!
John
Take some preventative measures and make sure that you stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
On scene make sure you check the tough guy attitude and visit rehab frequently. I've seen many guys think that they are too macho to take a breather, toss off the gear and sit down in the shade and rest for a while. It is very easy to overdo oneself during hot weather.
Be aware of the signs and symtoms of heat stroke: nausea, vomiting, fatique, weakness, headache, muscle cramps & aches, dizziness.
Symptons & signs of heat stroke include: high body temperature, absence of sweating w/ hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure & coma.
Heat stroke victems must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. Get them to a shady or cool area. Remove clothing and apply cool or tepid water to the skin. Fan the victem to promote sweating & evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groin. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees F. Always notify emergency services if needed for transport or advanced care.
I know that what we do as firefighters puts us at greater risk for heat related emergencies. It is especially important that we realize and understand these risks and be actively dilligent in recognizing and preventing them through proper fireground safety measures.
Stay cool everyone!
John
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Everson on
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Some as fast and simple as a car fire the other night soaked my clothes under my turn-out gear. We have also had an increase in SOB calls with the emphysema (copd) people, due to the heat and humdity.
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Permalink Reply by anne potter on
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Our dept. has a cooler in it's side compartment of the pumper that plugs in .. In the summer always cool drinks to be found ..
Most of our ladies aux also very good at making sure that we are hydrate during a fire scene...
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Permalink Reply by Dewayne and Diana Bean on
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Remember to rotate water with electrolyte drinks such as gatorade. We keep water in the fridge all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Todd on
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I was sent the following info today and this would be a good place to add it.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
Heat exhaustion symptoms
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include:
• heavy sweating
• paleness
• muscle cramps
• tiredness
• weakness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• fainting
The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately if:
• symptoms are severe, or
• the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure.
Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.
Heat exhaustion treatment
Cooling measures that may be effective include:
• cool, non-alcoholic beverages, as directed by your physician
• rest
• cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
• an air-conditioned environment
• Lightweight clothing
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles causes painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
Recognizing Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms - usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs - that may occur in association with strenuous activity. If you have heart problems or are on a low sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps.
What to Do
If medical attention is not necessary, take these steps:
• Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.
• Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in 1 hour.
Heat Stroke
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia (abnormally elevated body temperature) with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two less-severe forms of hyperthermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.
The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and the body is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.
The population most susceptible to hear strokes are infants, the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or on certain medications that make them vulnerable to heat strokes), and athletes, or outdoor workers physically exerting themselves under the sun.
What are heat stroke symptoms?
Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness. However some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.
Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:
• high body temperature
• the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
• rapid pulse
• difficulty breathing
• strange behavior
• hallucinations
• confusion
• agitation
• disorientation
• seizure
• coma
How do you treat a heat stroke victim?
Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, cool the victim. Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groins. Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees. Always notify emergency services (911) immediately. If their arrival is delayed, they can give you further instructions for treatment of the victim.
The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated, and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty of fluids (such as water and Gatorade), but avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea which may lead to dehydration. Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself. Wear hats, and light colored, and light and loose clothes.
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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This is a good time to add one of my favourite lines.
Wildfire is no place for structural PPE, it is totally unsuitable!
Hydration hydration hydration.
Be aware of the symptoms of heat related illness. There are a number of such illnesses, when in doubt treat as the more severe option. Terminology and treatment options can be different in different places, you need to know what is valid for wherever you are working. For instense, here Heat Stroke is considered a life threatening illness requiring urgent medical attention - in a wildifre situatioon this can mean a MADAY call.
A person suffering from the more severe types of heat related illness can often be unaware of the symptoms - keep a watch on your crew. Everybodies health and safety relies on YOU. 'Macho' is behaviour that isn't needed on the fireground. Not needed anywhere really.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Tomlinson on
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Indiana here also - and even though that little heatwave is over with, summer is not. So let's not forget that just because it's not 95 with an index of 110F, we still need to check our attitudes at the door and be careful in just everyday summer warmth.
In other words, take your macho, kick @ss, never stop, I'm too cool, manly, HeMan attitude and leave it at home. You're no good to me or your team if you're dead or dying.
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Permalink Reply by International 1582 Foundation on
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CAUTION...With more and more younger firefighters diagnosed with "essential" hypertension and taking first-line medication to control essentially a condition with an unknown etiology...be very careful and listen to your body and listen to the medics in Rehab. Most first line drugs to treat hypertension is diuretics or beta blocker/ACE inhibitor...or combination thereof. Please remember that if you are taking meds to control your blood pressure your walking into a 700 degree fire already minimally dehydrated (volume decreases blood pressure). Some studies show that a firefighter loses 1 to 1.2L fluid per bottle during active firefighting. Couple this with a beta adrenergic blocker or ACEI...the end result could be catastrophic. You may feel fine but our bodies are designed pretty darn good. Stress induced analgesia is our bodies equivalent to morphine and you may feel fine....but the medic says otherwise...listen to him/her. Fire Rehab should be mandatory and every fire department/firefighter should comply with NFPA standards for fire rehab...period. We don't need anymore dead heroes...look at the statistics....firefighters aren't surviving once they go into cardiac arrest on the fire line...the'll be other fires!
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CAUTION...With more and more younger firefighters diagnosed with "essential" hypertension and taking first-line medication to control essentially a condition with an unknown etiology...be very careful and listen to your body and listen to the medics in Rehab. Most first line drugs to treat hypertension is diuretics or beta blocker/ACE inhibitor...or combination thereof. Please remember that if you are taking meds to control your blood pressure your walking into a 700 degree fire already minimally dehydrated (volume decreases blood pressure). Some studies show that a firefighter loses 1 to 1.2L fluid per bottle during active firefighting. Couple this with a beta adrenergic blocker or ACEI...the end result could be catastrophic. You may feel fine but our bodies are designed pretty darn good. Stress induced analgesia is our bodies equivalent to morphine and you may feel fine....but the medic says otherwise...listen to him/her. Fire Rehab should be mandatory and every fire department/firefighter should comply with NFPA standards for fire rehab...period. We don't need anymore dead heroes...look at the statistics....firefighters aren't surviving once they go into cardiac arrest on the fire line...the'll be other fires!
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Permalink Reply by Doug Dyche on
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Very true, we had a burn-to-learn last week. Evening temp was in the 90's. One of our officers decided that he didn't need to rehydrate on a continuous basis. He ended up making a trip to the hospital for IV fluids. Just another case of someone thinking that a red helmet makes you bulletproof!
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