Mountain
Safety
MS 1_6:
FA Basics
(Dehydration & Heat
Illnesses)
Learning Intention:
To equip you with the knowledge to
avoid and treat heat illnesses.
Success Criteria:
By the end of this session everyone should
be able to:
• Describe what steps to take to avoid,
recognise and treat heat-related illnesses
when walking.
Activities:
1. Discussion/Powerpoint:
- What is a heat illness?
- What can you do to avoid them?
- How should you treat them?
2. Scenario
What is a
heat illness?
Heat Illnesses (“Hyperthermia”)
Severity
 Heat
rash
 Sunburn
 Heat cramps
 Heat exhaustion
 Heat stroke
American Meteorological Society
Central North Carolina Chapter
April 21, 2005
Heat Rash (prickly heat)
Symptoms: Skin becomes
reddened and may itch,
feel prickly or hurt.
First Aid: Practice good
personal hygiene; keep the
skin clean and the pores
unclogged, allow skin to
dry, wear loose clothing.
Sunburn
Symptoms: Skin becomes
reddened, pain, blistering
in severe cases.
First Aid: Move into shade
or cover minor burns with
light cloth, frequent sips of
water, cool skin by
sponging with water, apply
after-sun.
Heat Cramps:
Symptoms: Cramping of either
active muscles (arms, legs) or
involuntary (usually abdominal)
muscles (or both).
First Aid: Replenish electrolytes
through drinking of fluids such
as sports drinks etc. Rest in a
cool environment.
Heat Exhaustion:
Symptoms: Nausea,
dizziness, weakness
headache, blurred vision,
profuse sweating, cold/wet
(clammy) grayish skin,
unconsciousness, coma and
death.
First Aid: Lie down in a cool
location, administer fluids if
conscious. If unconscious,
seek medical care.
Heat Stroke:
Symptoms: Chills, restlessness,
irritability, euphoria, red face
and skin, disorientation, hot/dry
skin (not always), collapse,
unconsciousness, convulsions
and death.
First Aid: Immediate, aggressive
cooling of the victim’s body
using wet cloths, immersion
into cold water or alcohol
wipes. Contact emergency
services ASAP!
Avoidance
 Sun-hat and or sun-screen
 Remove clothing layers
 Stop & rest
 Move into shade
 Drink little & often to avoid
dehydration
Dehydration
fluid loss
time*
effect & symptoms
(* timing may vary based on intensity of exercise and
heat/humidity)
0.75 L
1 hr
1.5 L
2-3 hrs
loss of endurance, start to feel thirsty, feel
hot, uncomfortable
2.25 L
3-4 hrs
loss of strength, loss of energy, moderate
discomfort
3L
3.5-4 L
4-5 hrs
5-6 hrs
cramps, headaches, extreme discomfort
5+ L
7+ hrs
heat stroke, collapse, unconsciousness
unnoticed (at 1.5% weight loss you are
considered dehydrated)
heat exhaustion, nausea, faint
taken from: OH&S Canada Volume 69, Number 5, page 52, May 2000
What to drink:
• Water is the best; juices are also good (juices
contain energy restoring glucose).
• Electrolyte (sports) drinks (e.g. Powerade) are
usually not needed (but can be used for first aid
for cramps).
• Stay away from caffeinated carbonated, diet
drinks and alcohol as they take water out of your
body.
How Much Water
is Enough?
• More than you want just to satisfy your thirst
• Sources of water are:
1. Fluids – ½ pint = 250 mL every 30-60 min
2. Foods - fruit & veggies are 90% water
• Not too cold
Eat Healthily
You can and should replace
essential elements lost during
sweating;
Eat a balanced diet
rather than taking salt
tablets or drinking
expensive sports
drinks.
Watch out for each other!
• Someone heading into a heat
stroke will no longer realise
what is happening to him/her
• It is vital that group members
be able to recognise what is
happening and intervene
• Without quick attention, the
person may die!
Treatment
General advice:
 Lie down in shade
 Sip water
 Remove outer clothing
 Cool with damp cloth,
especially head & neck
Questions?