This article will describe the differences between a heat emergency and heat stroke and how to be prepared for working in the heat.
When you took the job in the construction industry, you accepted a situation that puts you outside in the hot, summer heat. If you do not leave your house prepared for working in the heat you could suffer some severe health symptoms.
Sometimes you may want to finish a job in the heat, you start to feel sweaty and dizzy. You are suffering from a heat emergency. The symptoms of a heat emergency are;
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling tired (this will come on suddenly)
If you have any of these symptoms, you must stop what you are doing and get cooled off.
If you do not stop and your body will get overheated, and you will suffer from a heat stroke. The symptoms of a heat stroke are;
- A body temperature of 104.
- Your body will be hot to the touch, and you may not sweat.
- You may start to feel like your mind is wondering and you may start talking gibberish.
- You could have a seizure
- You could pass out
- If you have any of these symptoms, you must call 911. The body can recover from heat stroke, but you have to get help right away.
- How to cool a body down
- You have to go to the shade or get your co-worker to go to the shade.
- Take off any layers of clothing
- If the person is not having a seizure or is not passed out, give them a Gatorade or power aid.
- Lie down and put cold towels or ice bags on your pressure points which are; 2 packs on the groin(both legs), put ice packs under your armpits, and put a cold cloth on your forehead and behind your neck.
- If you do not cool down, then call 911, or you stop sweating call 911.
- Heat stroke is dangerous and could be deadly if not taken care of.
In the summertime, please bring these items to your job.
- Water
- Gatorade or Powerade
- Rags or cloth (this to cool you down)
- a hat
- Band-aids, roll gauze, 4x4 gauze
- Sunblock
Monica Staggs
CPR and First Aid Instructor
(520) 420-4071
www.arizonacprcertification.com
