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Hyperthermia & Hypothermia
Hyperthermia & Hypothermia
HYPOTHERMIA
HYPERTHERMIA
A condition where the body produces or
absorbs heat more than it can dissipate
May be caused by:
• Increase in air temperature
• Solar or reflected radiation
• Poor ventilation in clothing
• Low fitness level
• Excess bulk or reduced ratio of skin area
to body mass
HEAT CRAMPS
Usually happen during heavy
activity in hot environments
Painful, involuntary muscle
spasms (more intense than the
typical nighttime leg cramp)
Happens when the muscles
accumulate excessive lactic acid
or a loss of fluid and electrolyte
through perspiration
HEAT CRAMPS
WHAT MUST BE DONE?
Cool down and replenish loss
electrolyte through clear sports drink
Gently stretch and massage affected
muscle group
Do not resume the strenuous activity
and rest until cramps go away
Take salt pill with water at the start of
specific muscle pain
HEAT EXHAUSTION
When water is insufficient for the
body’s demand in a particular outdoor
activity, the body becomes dehydrated
and salt-depleted
Results in:
• Nausea
• Faintness
• Weak rapid pulse
• Cold and sweaty skin
First aid similar to what is
administered in case of heat cramps
HEAT STROKE
Most serious degree of hyperthermia
Emergency should be sought when
the person:
• Losses consciousness
• Becomes disoriented
• Pulse rate suddenly becomes fast
• Seizures
• Has warm, red, dry skin, and body
temperature above 103℉
• Reduced sweating
HEAT STROKE
FIRST AID (while help is on the way):
o Remove the person from heat exposure
and cool him/her by whatever means
available. Fan air to increase cooling
o Do not give the person anything to drink
if the person is not alert or vomiting
o Treat the symptoms.
If with seizures, keep the person
safe from injury.
If vomiting, turn the person on the
side to keep airway open.
HYP0THERMIA
Occurs when the body chills faster than
the body’s ability to produce heat due to
exposure to cold, wet, and/or windy
weather
Not taking enough energy-producing food
and not having proper clothing speeds up
hypothermia.
Generally occurs in temperatures of less
than 35℃
HYP0THERMIA
Symptoms include:
• Numbness
• Uncontrollable shivering that muscles
begin to stiffen and become
uncoordinated
• Skin turns bluish
• Pulse and respiration slow down
• Victim does not respond or becomes
unconscious
HYP0THERMIA
Emergency should be sought when the
person:
• Shows confusion, memory loss, or
slurred speech
• Body temperature drops below 35℃
(95℉)
• Loss of consciousness
• Shallow breathing
HYP0THERMIA
FIRST AID (must be administered quickly)
o Move the person to a sheltered area and
restore warmth slowly
o Remove wet clothes and replace with dry
clothes
o Wrap with blankets or sleeping bag
o Exhale warm air near the vicinity of the
patient’s mouth and nose
HYP0THERMIA
FIRST AID (must be administered quickly)
o Note that rapid warming can cause heart
arrhythmia so it is advised not to immerse
the person in warm water.
Warm person’s trunk first – not the
hands and feet – as warming
extremities first can cause shock
HYP0THERMIA