Prevention of Heat Related Illness
THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES:
• Heat Syncope: Fainting or near fainting following dizziness, usually while running or a sudden change in position. Caused by a drop in blood pressure as the brain is deprived of oxygenated blood.
• Heat Cramps: Tightening or spasm of active muscles, without loss of consciousness. Caused by an electrolyte imbalance.
• Heat Exhaustion: Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting may be accompanied by irrational behavior or belligerence and some muscle cramping. Loss of consciousness may occur.
• Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke): Acute medical emergency. Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke): Acute medical emergency. Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction characterized by disorientation, irrational behavior, decreased mental acuity, irritability, emotional instability, confusion, hysteria or apathy with body core temperature 104°F or greater. Symptoms may rapidly progress without immediate treatment to convulsions, coma, and possible death
TREATMENT:
• For all heat related illnesses, cease activity, move victim to a cooler, shaded area, loosen or remove clothing, cool body by applying cold wet towels and/or ice packs, monitor closely.
• Heat syncope, heat cramps and heat exhaustion should resolve immediately with proper treatment. Activate the emergency medical system (EMS), dial 911, if symptoms do not resolve quickly.
• For Heat stroke, identified by severe CNS dysfunction, and slow or no resolution of symptoms with treatment, activation of the EMS, dial 911, is critical.
PREVENTION:
• Follow guidelines for restricting activities based on the heat stress index. See chart.
• Athletes should exercise preconditioning, heat acclimatization, and water replacement regimens.
• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose clothing.
• Have plenty of water available.
• Learn to recognize those children who may be predisposed to heat illness-victims of chronic disease, previous history, etc. and watch them closely.
Heat Alerts will be posted before 07:30 on days when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a forecast for Fairfax County
• Excessive Heat Watch - is issued by the NWS when there is a potential for the heat index value to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 24 to 48 hours.
• Heat Advisory - is issued by the NWS when the heat index value is expected to reach 105 to 109 degrees within the next 12 to 24 hours.
• Excessive Heat Warning - is issued by the NWS when the heat index value is expected to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 12 to 24 hours.
ACTIONS
• Heat Advisory/ Excessive Heat Warning - When the heat index is likely to reach the danger category exceeding 105 degrees: All LMVSC Teams will follow precautions to prevent heat related illness in this fact sheet.
Hazy, hot, and humid weather creates another hazard as ground-level ozone builds up to unhealthful levels. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issues a Code Red Alert on these days, warning that the unhealthful air quality can have an adverse effect on the general population, especially with prolonged outdoor activity, and is harmful to the very young, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory disease. Additional information on the Ozone Alert and the Air Quality Index is available at: http://www.mwcog.org/environment/air/forecast/ and at http://vadeq.txsutron.com/.
Category Humiture
IV 80-90 = Caution: Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity. Athletics: Rest 15 minutes for every 45 minutes of work. Limit protective equipment; modify practice to maintain safe conditions. Consume minimum of 24 oz. per hour, fluid break every 15 minutes.
III 90-100 = Extreme Caution: Sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity. Athletics: Rest 15 minutes for every 45 minutes of work. Light clothing, modify practice to maintain safe conditions. Consume minimum of 32 oz. per hour, fluid break every 15 minutes.
II 100-130 = Danger: Sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion likely. Heatstroke possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity. Athletics: No outside activity.
I Above 130 = Extreme Danger: Heatstroke or sunstroke imminent.
