Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Body Heat Loss Conduction – The direct transfer of heat through physical contact with any object that has a temperature less than 37°C (98°F). Sitting on the cold ground, touching a cold piece of metal, or immersing a hand in cold water are examples. Heat can also be gained if the object being touched is warmer than the body. Convection – The transfer of heat to circulating air such as a cool wind blowing across the body. A person can gain heat this way if the air is hotter than the body such as a desert or industrial setting, but it is more common in a spa or sauna.

First Aider in Action: Part 1 You are approaching the entrance to the library when a landscape worker who is digging in the flowerbed suddenly collapses. It is a hot and humid day. How does the body cool itself in a hot environment? What factors can impair the body’s ability to manage heat? Heat always travels from a warmer place to a cooler one. Because of this, the body tends to lose heat to the surrounding environment. The body can lose heat in five ways.

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