Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Body Heat Loss Continued Evaporation – When a liquid is converted into a gas, it uses heat, or energy. Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling through evaporation. In cold environments, sweating can cool the body rapidly, especially once exercise stops. It is important to keep dry in cold conditions. Radiation – Radiation is a type of invisible light that transfers heat. When you stand in a cold building, the body radiates heat into the cold space. Heat can be gained through radiation too, such as when you stand next to a hot stove or fire. Respiration – When a person breathes in, cooler air is warmed in the lungs. When they exhale, this body heat is lost to the environment. In warm climates, hotter air causes the body to gain heat during respiration.

Body heat gain or loss can be modified in three ways: 1. Increase or decrease heat production – The body can increase heat production by moving. Shivering is a way the body produces heat. In hot climates, the tendency is to reduce activity and limit movement to keep cool. 2. Move to an area either warmer or colder – Simply seeking shelter from cold and wind is an obvious way to reduce heat loss. Covering the head will also greatly reduce heat loss. For a patient who is too hot, moving them to shade can reduce the air temperature by 10 degrees. If you cannot move a patient due to injuries, create shade and fan them to create air movement (convection).

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