Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Active Warming Remember that warmth must be introduced gradually to the body. • Place the patient near a heat source so that there is gentle warmth radiated to them. • If available, place lukewarm (not hot) water bottles on the skin at the groin, armpits, and neck. • Heat packs generate too much warmth to be used directly against the skin. Wrap a heat pack in several layers of material to reduce it to a gentle warmth. • Monitor ABCs closely. Be prepared to provide CPR if breathing becomes ineffective or ceases. Get medical help as soon as possible

core and provide energy for muscles. Give nothing by mouth to a patient with an altered level of consciousness as they may choke. Severe and critical hypothermia patients require active warming but there are complications. Active warming of these patients is best done in a hospital as it is a gradual process that may require advanced life support. If you have a severe or critical hypothermia patient and medical help is delayed or far away, active warming may be used. Active warming is done slowly. Continuously monitor the ABCs and be prepared to give CPR if breathing stops or become ineffective. Only in a situation where there is a severe or critical hypothermia patient and transport or medical help will be delayed will a first aider use the following active warming procedure.

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