Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Environmental Injury Introduction Both heat and cold can overwhelm the body’s mechanisms for regulating temperature. A variety of medical emergencies can occur from exposure to heat and cold. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic or pre-existing medical conditions are more likely to be affected. A number of injuries can occur during water recreation and these can be complicated by cold as well. First aiders can save lives by recognizing and responding to these emergencies, most of which will require medical care. Environmental injury can also include envenomation from snake or insect bites and stings (See Chapter 7, Bleeding, Wound and Trauma Emergencies) and electrical injury from lightning.

Physical condition, age, nutrition, and hydration are factors that affect the body’s ability to manage in hot and cold environments.

Normal Body Temperature

Cold Exposure Normal body temperature has a narrow range in which the body and its systems can operate effectively. Exposure to cold can injure a part of the body such as the hands, ears, nose, and feet or it can injure the whole body. When the temperature of the entire body falls, it is called Hypothermia.

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