Heat Advisory - TCC News

FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 4, 2011)

Chief Frank Buchanan is encouraging the TCC community to follow the same heat precautions recently given to campus police supervisors on the importance of taking necessary preventative measures regarding the extreme heat.

Forecasts predict the 100+ temperatures will continue. Recognizing heat-related illnesses in ourselves and others is important with the current streak of severe hot temperatures. Prevention does not provide immunity from heat-related illness but helps reduce its likelihood.

Ways to prevent heat-related illness include frequent breaks taken in cooler areas, adequate fluid intake, and a slower work pace to decrease heat generation within the body.

The table below lists some of the signs, symptoms and first aid for the extreme heat.

Condition	Symptoms	First Aid
Heat Cramps	Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles. Heavy sweating.	Get the victim to a cooler location. Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms. Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.) Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated.
Heat Exhaustion	Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale or flushed. Weak pulse. Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and headaches are possible.	Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen or remove clothing. Apply cool, wet clothes. Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place. Give sips of water if victim is conscious. Be sure water is consumed slowly. Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Discontinue water if victim is nauseated. Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs.
Heat Stroke (a severe medical emergency)	High body temperature (105+). Hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity. Possible unconsciousness.	Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Removing clothing. Try a cool bath, sponging or wet sheet to reduce body temperature. Watch for breathing problems. Use extreme caution. Use fans and air conditioners.

Condition

Symptoms

First Aid

Heat Cramps

Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles.

Heavy sweating.

Get the victim to a cooler location.

Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms.

Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.)

Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated.

Heat Exhaustion

Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale or flushed.

Weak pulse.

Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise.

Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and headaches are possible.

Get victim to lie down in a cool place.

Loosen or remove clothing.

Apply cool, wet clothes.

Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place.

Give sips of water if victim is conscious.

Be sure water is consumed slowly.

Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.

Discontinue water if victim is nauseated.

Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs.

Heat Stroke
(a severe medical emergency)

High body temperature (105+).

Hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing.

Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity.

Possible unconsciousness.

Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.

Move victim to a cooler environment.

Removing clothing.

Try a cool bath, sponging or wet sheet to reduce body temperature.

Watch for breathing problems.

Use extreme caution.

Use fans and air conditioners.

Media Contact: 817-515-5212