Heat exhaustion: sweating, weak, dizzy, mental status normal — move to cool and rest.
Key points to remember
- Heat exhaustion: sweating, weak, dizzy, mental status normal — move to cool and rest.
- Heat stroke: altered mental status with high body temperature — rapid cooling on scene.
- Hypothermia: remove wet clothing, insulate, handle gently to avoid dysrhythmia.
- Frostbite: no rubbing and no rewarming if refreezing is possible.
- Drowning: open the airway and ventilate early — hypoxia is the cause of arrest.
Field priorities
- Heat stroke: cold-water immersion or aggressive cooling — do not delay for transport.
- Hypothermic arrest: take longer to check for a pulse; start CPR if none.
- Lightning with several victims: resuscitate those in arrest first (reverse triage).
Coaching the patient
- Sweating does not rule out heat stroke — mental status is the dividing line.
Red flags: act now
- Heat illness with confusion
- Shivering that stops as temperature keeps falling
- Snakebite with spreading swelling
Environmental Emergencies: FAQs
What are the priority actions for Environmental Emergencies in the field?
Heat stroke: cold-water immersion or aggressive cooling — do not delay for transport. Hypothermic arrest: take longer to check for a pulse; start CPR if none. Lightning with several victims: resuscitate those in arrest first (reverse triage).
What findings in Environmental Emergencies change your plan or your transport decision?
Heat illness with confusion. Shivering that stops as temperature keeps falling. Snakebite with spreading swelling.
What do I need to know about Environmental Emergencies for the NREMT?
Heat exhaustion: sweating, weak, dizzy, mental status normal — move to cool and rest. Heat stroke: altered mental status with high body temperature — rapid cooling on scene. Hypothermia: remove wet clothing, insulate, handle gently to avoid dysrhythmia. Frostbite: no rubbing and no rewarming if refreezing is possible.
What should the crew communicate or document for Environmental Emergencies?
Sweating does not rule out heat stroke — mental status is the dividing line.
