Tag: Health and Safety

Hypothermia

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. This causes a dangerously low body temperature, which can cause severe damage. The average body temperature is around 37 C (98.6 F). Hypothermia is when your body temperature falls below 35 C (95 F).

When your body temperature is too low, our heart, nervous system and other vital organs can’t function properly. If Hypothermia is Left untreated, it can lead to failure of your heart and respiratory system and, eventually, death.
How Do You Get Hypothermia?
You can get Hypothermia from being exposed to cold weather or submerged in cold water for extended periods.

Hypothermia Symptoms, Signs of Hypothermia, How to tell if someone has hypothermia


What To Do If You Have Hypothermia?

The first course of action is to warm the body back up to normal body temperature.
Cover any exposed areas of skin, go inside or to the warmest location available to you.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothermia?

Shivering/Shaking
Slurred Speach
Confusion
Slower Breathing
Lack of Coordination
Inability to move fingers/extremities
Drowsiness
Unconsciousness
Cold & Red Skin

Typically symptoms come on gradually, and often the person is not aware that they are experiencing these conditions. Confusion and numbness can distort a person’s perceptions of what is happening o their body. If you suspect someone might have Hypothermia, ask them if they are okay and help get them to a place to warm up. If the person is unconscious, call 9-1-1 immediately.

While you are waiting for emergency services, if possible, gently move the person inside and remove any wet/frozen clothing and replacing it with a warmer coat or blanket.


What Is an AED? How Do You Use It?

what is an AED and how to use them

What does AED stand for? 

AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator, it is a portable life-saving device used to measure and aid in correcting the rhythm of a patient’s heart rate.

How does an AED work?

The AED works by being able to read and assess the patient’s heart rhythm through pads that are placed on the patient’s chest. The AED will then assess the patient’s heartbeat and if it has stopped and only if it is necessary, it will advise the user to push a button that will administer a shock to try and get the heart beating properly again.

While all AED’s are designed for the same primary function, not all AED units are the same. For example, the Zoll AED unit that Operation Heat Heal donates provides the user with real-time CPR feedback on the rate and depth of CPR chest compressions being administered to the patient. This makes the AED very user-friendly so that any motivated bystander may operate in the event of a cardiovascular emergency.

How do you use an AED?

Zoll AED Unit in display case

The first step is to ensure emergency services have been called, or someone has been assigned to call them and is doing so. Using an AED and CPR does not replace the need for emergency services, and they should be called immediately and will be able to provide over the phone assistance if needed as well.

How To Operate An AED:

  • Turn on the AED.
  • Remove clothing from the chest, cutting the material if it is necessary.
  • Ensure the chest is bare, and dry, if the patient is wet, dry the chest area.
  • Attach the AED pads & plug in the connector (if necessary).
  • Follow the images & instructions included in the AED for pad placement on the chest.
  • Ensure no one, yourself included, is touching the patient. Ask everyone to “stand clear”.
  • Push the analyze button.
  • If the AED instructs you to, then push the shock button. Again ensure everyone is standing clear.
  • Begin CPR after the shock. Continue to follow the AED’s instructions.
  • Zoll AED Pads & Instructions
  • ZOLL AED

If possible, stay with the patient until emergency services arrive and continue CPR if necessary.

Where are AED units located?

As of yet, there aren’t any specific locations for AED units specifically. Many public locations such as schools, malls, and large employment offices usually have at least one AED accessible, many cases one on every floor.

How Can You Get An AED

The good news AED units ARE easily accessible, they just need willing individuals to seek out having them at their locations. If you are looking to purchase an AED you can get them online or you can contact an AED distributor in your area like Aim For Life.