Overview of EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field
Hyperthermia refers to a condition where a person’s body temperature is more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). You can have hyperthermia due to various reasons. For instance, when you have an infection called sepsis, your immune system response normally shows up as a fever. Certain poisons, withdrawal states, or medications can cause your body temperature to rise. One specific case of this is the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a reaction to certain medications. The most common condition that responds well to cooling the body is heat-related illness and heat stroke.
Heat-related illness is a range of conditions that occur when your body’s system to control temperature doesn’t work correctly. For example, in heat exhaustion, your body’s core temperature rises, causing symptoms like a drop in blood pressure when standing, a fast heart rate, heavy sweating, and fast breathing. Heat stroke, on the other hand, involves a high core body temperature and affects your brain, leading to confusion, lower consciousness, or lack of coordination. This can usually happen to athletes from excessive physical activity (known as exertional hyperthermia). But, heat-related illnesses can also happen during hot weather or in very hot locations. Certain people, like those who are very old or very young, overweight, or mentally ill may have difficulty regulating their body temperature, thus making them more susceptible. The best way to treat heat-related illness is cooling down the entire body.
In treating heat-related illness, there are two ways to cool down the body – conduction and evaporation. Research shows that immersing the body in cold water is the most effective and fastest, but this is not always easy to do, especially in emergencies. However, some sports events that frequently deal with heat-related illnesses may have these facilities available. The second quickest method is evaporation, which involves spraying a mist of water and using a fan to cool down. Placing ice packs in areas like the groin, armpits, neck, and other areas close to large blood vessels is somewhat effective but not as much as the other methods. Giving chilled fluids intravenously (directly into the blood through a vein) has been tried, but it’s not very clear whether it’s helpful or potentially harmful as it may cause shivering. This article will now focus on the process of evaporative cooling along with other helpful steps that can be taken out in the field.
Dealing with heat-related illnesses requires quick recognition and action. Evidence from military and sports studies suggests that bringing a person’s body temperature down to below 40 degrees Celsius as quickly as possible can significantly reduce the risk of death.
Why do People Need EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field
If someone shows any signs of heat-related illness and has a high body temperature, they may need to be cooled down. This idea of heat-related illness has often been associated with the body’s core temperature going above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if someone’s body temperature is even slightly above normal and they show symptoms of sickness, cooling should be considered.
The goal of cooling is to quickly reduce the body temperature to below 40 degrees Celsius, with the end aim of reaching the normal body temperature range (which is between 36-38 degrees Celsius or 96.8-100.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
It’s also important to keep an eye on other indications of the person’s health, like their heart rate and blood pressure. If these are unstable, it could mean the person has severe heat stroke. In situations like this, quickly cooling the person down is the best way to stabilize them.
When a Person Should Avoid EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field
The only reason why a patient wouldn’t be cooled down is if their body temperature is already normal or low. A high body temperature, or hyperthermia, can be a sign of a disease like sepsis, toxin ingestion, withdrawal or something else. In such cases, the right treatment for the specific disease shouldn’t be ignored.
While managing this, care should always be taken to focus on the immediate lifesaving steps, which are managing the patient’s airway (ensuring it’s clear), supporting their breathing, and maintaining their circulation (making sure blood is flowing through their body properly).
Equipment used for EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field
To cool down your body, you could use common items like:
* Cold saltwater
* Ice packs
* Sheets or towels
Here are some other items that might come in handy:
* Cooling blankets
* Spray bottles
* Fans
* A pool – even an inflatable one for kids could work
Who is needed to perform EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field?
The cooling methods mentioned in this article can be done by one healthcare professional. However, having more people involved can speed up the cooling process by doing different tasks at the same time.
Preparing for EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field
Check the patient’s important health signs and make sure they are breathing properly before starting the cooling process. The patient should have no clothing on and a vein should be accessed for giving medications or liquids if needed.
How is EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field performed
If someone’s body temperature is too high, there are a few ways to help them cool down. One is by applying cold water to their skin regularly. You could use a sponge or a spray bottle to do this. Another method is to use a fan to blow air at the same time as applying the water. The fan will help the water evaporate quickly, which can help lower the body temperature.
You could also soak a sheet in cold water, wring it out, and then wrap it around the person. If the sheet stops being cool, you should change it for a fresh one. Keep in mind that these methods require you to keep applying the cold water and possibly a sheet, for them to continue working well.
Another good way to help cool someone down is to put ice packs on them. It’s most effective to put the ice packs on the person’s groin, neck, armpits, and torso. You could also use cooled saltwater (saline), but make sure to watch out for any shivering as a result. The more often you change the ice packs and apply cold water, the faster the person should cool down.
If you have a pool, you could also use it to help cool the person down by filling it with ice water. Partially submerge the person in the pool, focusing on the torso, groin, and armpits over the arms and legs. Make sure to periodically check important health indicators like heart rate and blood pressure, and how alert they are. You should stop the cooling process when their body temperature gets below 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), and then help them out of the pool.
Possible Complications of EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field
Cooling is generally a safe process, but it does come with a few risks. It is essential to watch the patient’s vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature closely throughout the cooling process. Shivering, for instance, might happen and could make it difficult for the body to cool down properly. People who are already critically ill might become even more unwell during cooling.
One important thing to watch for is if a patient’s body temperature drops too low, below 36 degrees Celsius, as this may lead to problems due to hypothermia, a condition of abnormally low body temperature.
The skin is especially sensitive during the cooling process, so it’s crucial to monitor it as it can be damaged if it is exposed to ice for too long. To protect the skin, ice packs should be covered with a towel or sheet, and their position should be changed regularly.
If a patient was cooled down by being submerged in ice water, he or she should be monitored for hypothermia and should be covered with blankets to prevent further exposure to the cold.
What Else Should I Know About EMS Methods to Cool a Patient in the Field?
When treating illnesses caused by overheating, like heat stroke, the most important thing to do is lower the body’s core temperature. The techniques we use to do this are straightforward, user-friendly, and very effective at cooling someone down quickly. They don’t require much training and can be done by a single caregiver. Plus, they can be used in many different situations.
The key to successful treatment is quickly identifying the people who would benefit from being cooled down. This can save lives and reduce the risk of dangers related to overheating.
