Heat Wave!

Hello Everyone!

In this RoyOnRescue Video blog, Roy takes a look at the record breaking heat that most of the Country has been experiencing and gives a few tips on recognition and treatment of heat related emergencies like; heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, electrolyte problems etc.  So learn what to do, and how to survive the severe summer heat.  Don’t miss this episode of RoyOnRescue!

P.S.  Below, I’ve included some really clear signs and symptoms of heat related injuries, compliments of WebMD.  Click on the WebMD link for more information.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses?

Heat cramp symptoms include:

  • Severe, sometimes disabling, cramps that typically begin suddenly in the hands, calves, or feet
  • Hard, tense muscles

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

Recommended Related to First Aid

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Excessive thirst
  • Muscle aches and cramps
  • Weakness
  • Confusion or anxiety
  • Drenching sweats, often accompanied by cold, clammy skin.
  • Slowed or weakened heartbeat.
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Agitation

Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention but is not usually life-threatening.

Heat stroke symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Fatigue
  • Hot, flushed, dry skin
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Decreased sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Decreased urination
  • Blood in urine or stool
  • Increased body temperature (104 to 106 degrees)
  • Confusion, delirium, or loss of consciousness
  • Convulsions

Heat stroke can occur suddenly, without any symptoms of heat exhaustion. If a person is experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, GET MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY. Any delay could be fatal. Seek emergency medical care for anyone who has been in the heat and who has the following symptoms:

  • Confusion, anxiety, or loss of consciousness
  • Very rapid or dramatically slowed heartbeat
  • Rapid rise in body temperature that reaches 104 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Either drenching sweats accompanied by cold, clammy skin (which may indicate heat exhaustion); or a marked decrease in sweating accompanied by hot, flushed, dry skin (which may indicate heat stroke)
  • Convulsions
  • Any other heat-related symptom that is not alleviated by moving to a shady or air-conditioned area and administering fluids and salts

Tribute To Rescue And Survival

In this episode, I wanted to take a moment to focus on the success of rescue attempts. Though it’s no guarantee that anyone will survive no matter how hard we try to save their lives, from time to time…they do.

And this is a video that celebrates survival. Don’t forget to celebrate the caring enough to try, no matter what the outcome too.
Cheers,

Roy

Football Helmet Removal During Emergencies

In this episode, Roy answers a question that came in regarding how to remove a football helmet if a person may have a neck injury.  Roy explains that only when the person’s life depends on it, should a helmet be removed before professional rescue personnel arrive.  If the person’s life depends on a rescuer being able to remove the helmet, then it should be removed following a few guidelines.  Be sure to watch this episode of RoyOnRescue to learn when and how a helmet should be removed during an emergency.

What Do I Do If I Find Someone In Anemic Shock?

Hello Everyone,

In this Vlog, Roy replies to an emailed question regarding someone’s friend who apparently has anemic complications. Due to this, she goes into shock, most likely due to the lack of Red Blood Cells which are required to carry oxygenated blood to the body’s tissues. Roy wanted to make sure and reply to this before the weekend. Hope it helps.

Keep On Rescuing,

RoyOnRescue Team

P.S. The following is the explanation of anemia per MedScape Reference(http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/780334-overview)
Anemia is characterized by a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells (RBCs), the amount of hemoglobin, or the volume of packed red blood cells (hematocrit). Anemia is classified as acute or chronic. Acute anemia denotes a precipitous drop in the RBC population due to hemolysis or acute hemorrhage. In the emergency department (ED), acute hemorrhage is by far the most common etiology. This article also discusses other causes of acute anemia.

Emailed Message from A RoyOnRescue Viewer From The UK

Hayley from the UK sent me a very nice email response and I thought I’d share it with everyone.
It reads:
Hello,
My name is Hayley and I’m from the UK. I just want to say how fantastic your videos are and has made me want to follow the career I want to pursue even more, being a paramedic. Thank you.
Hayley H., age 16
Response:

Hello Hayley,

Thank you for taking the time to write. It’s great to hear that you are enjoying the RoyOnRescue series of video blog entries. I hope that you will continue to find them helpful, interesting and educational. Best wishes on your pursuit of an EMS career. There’s nothing like being a paramedic and being able to help others in their time of crisis. EMS is filled with everything from comedy to tragedy and the successful EMS provider is one that can cope well with each situation and know that they did their best regardless of the outcome. Let me know if I can be of further assistance and congratulations on Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebration! 60 years…Wow!

Cheers,

Roy, RoyOnRescue.com

They’re Choking And I Can’t Get Them Out Of The Wheelchair!

Maybe you work with patients that are wheelchair bound and may, at times, be too large or have disabilities that limit your ability to get them out of the wheelchair in a hurry. Especially when they begin to choke during meal time. I received a phone call message regarding this very situation and though we had a great discussion about what to do for the patient over the phone, the person I was talking with thought it would be a great idea for it to be made into a video training. So, here you go Maria! I hope it helps.

Best Wishes,

Roy

Can People In Shock Still Be Conscious? Stages of Shock

In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy Shaw, Paramedic answers a question that came in this week that read.

“Is it true that conscious victims can also go into shock?  And if so, is comforting and re-assuring the patient important?”

~R

I thought that these were fair questions and deserved a RoyOnRescue explanation… video style.  So be sure and watch and let me know if you have any further questions.

Best Wishes,

Roy

Why CPR During Traumatic Cardiac Arrest Doesn’t Work Very Often

In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy talks about why cardiac arrests secondary to traumatic injuries, especially rapid deceleration accidents are so hard to resuscitate.  Roy goes a bit  more in depth about how every deceleration or rapid acceleration accident really is more like three different collisions.  Car hits wall, body hits car and organs hit inside of the body…that’s 3.  Now take a closer look at how it happens in this episode of RoyOnRescue.

Follow Up Answer Based On Question Regarding “How To Find The Brachial Pulse”

Hello Everyone,

Great follow up question came in on how to locate the “brachial” artery.

It’s located on the inside of the upper arm between the biceps and triceps muscle along the humerus bone.   Use the flat part of your four fingers to press moderately against the inside of  the arm at this location.  This is a skill that needs practice with a baby who has pulses so as to be confident when looking for a brachial pulse on a child without a pulse.  Remember, when in doubt, if the patient is unconscious, not breathing normally and appears dead…we treat them as they are.  Begin CPR!

Hope it helps.

Roy

Tornadoes and How To Survive.

“I don’t Think We’re In Kansas Anymore Toto!”  This was a famous line from a very good and classic movie, The Wizard Of Oz.  However, many people experience tornados each year and suffer great loss and damage as a result.  In this video blog post, Roy Shaw, EMT-paramedic and host of RoyOnRescue will share video clips of real tornados caught on video and some ideas on how to protect yourself your loved ones and others during the watch and warning phases of a devastating storm like a tornado.  It’s spring and it’s tornado season.  You won’t want to miss this episode.

Here’s a link from OSHA about how to prepare your workplace for a tornado.  Tornado Safety Link