ch 33 environmental emergencies

ambient temperature

the temperature of the surrounding environment

antivenin

a serum that counteracts the effect of enom from an animal or insect

bends

common name for decompresion sickness

breath-holding syncope

loss of consicounsss caused by a decreased breathing stimulus

conduction

loss of heat by direct contact (contact with hotter or colder object)

convection

loss of body heat caused by air movement (cold breeze)

core temperature

the temperature of the central part of the body (heart, lungs, vital organs)

decompression sickness

a painful condition seen in divers who ascend too quickly, in which gas (nitrogen) forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues (bends)

diving reflex

slowing of the heart rate caused by submersion in cold water

drowning

process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid

dysbarism injuries

any s/s caused by the difference between the surrounding atmospheric pressure and the total gas pressure in various tissues, fluids, and cavities of the body

evaporation

the conversion of water or another fld from a liquid to a gas

frostbite

damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen body aprts; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten

heat cramps

painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in a hot environment

heat exhaustion

heat emergency in which a signficant amount of fluid and electrolyte loss occurs because of heavy sweating; aka heat prostration or heat collapse

heatstroke

life threatening condition of severe hyperthermia caused by exposure to excessive natural or artificial heat, marked by warm, dry skin; severely altered loc and often irreversible coma

hymenoptera

family of insects that includes bees, wasps, ant and yellowjacket

hyperthermia

condition in which the body core temp rises to 101 or more

hypothermia

condition in which the body core temp falls below 95

radiation

transfer of heat to colder objects in the environment by radiant energy; heat gain from fire

respiration

inhaling and exhaling of air; the physiologic process that exchanges co2 from fresh air

reverse triage

a triage process used in treating multiple victims of a lighting strike, in which efforts are focused on those who are in respiratory and cardiac arrest. ____ is different from conventional, where such pts would be classified as dead

scuba gear

system that delivers air to the mouth and lungs at various atmospheric ressures, increasing with the depth of the dive, stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus

turgor

the ability of the skin to resist deformation; tested by gently pinching skin on the forehead or back of the head