801 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
318/ 673-6655 ● FAX: 318/ 673-6656 ● www.shreveportfire.org

Kelvin J. Cochran, Fire Chief

July12, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Operation "Cool Down" in Effect

Fire Department prepares to combat heat related injuries offers tips

The Shreveport Fire Department has implemented their summer time medical program "Operation Cool Down," following weeks of extreme heat and humid conditions. The program, run through the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) branch of the department is designed to provide relief for those patients who find themselves suffering from a heat related emergency such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The operation consists of providing the department's eight medic units (ambulances) with 12-volt coolers that house ice, two bags of cooled IV solution, and four 16-ounce bottles of Gatoraid. These resources provide paramedics several options to cool off an over heated patient. Unfortunately, many victims do not consider heat-related emergencies to be serious until it is to late. Heat cramp and heat exhaustion victims should be treated and discouraged from returning to their previous activities until fully recovered. Otherwise the conditions will likely worsen. Here is what to look for and what to do in the event of a heat emergency:

HEAT CRAMPSHeat cramps are typically the first symptoms of injury from excessive heat. They can result from simple overexertion on a warm day, or they can be the first signs of a more perilous inability to cope with environmental heat. Signs and symptoms include severe muscle cramps (generally leg and/or abdominal cramps) exhaustion, and occasionally dizziness and/or fainting.

CARE PROCEDURES:

• Move victim to a cool place.

• Give fluids, preferably with electrolytes.
• Massage affected muscles (firm pressure massage).
• Apply moist towels to forehead and cramped muscles.
• Call 911 if symptoms persist.

HEAT EXHAUSTIONHeat exhaustion is a more serious result of heat exposure. Signs and symptoms include rapid, shallow breathing, cold, clammy skin, heavy perspiration, general weakness, and possible loss of consciousness. Heat exhaustion can rapidly progress to heat stroke if the victim remains exposed and does not replenish lost fluids.

BYSTANDER EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES:

• Activate EMS system (call 9-1-1).

• Move victim to a cool place.
• Rest victim.
• Remove enough clothing to cool but don't chill.
• Give fluids with electrolytes (to conscious victims only).
• Treat for shock- lay flat elevate feet.

HEAT STROKEHeat stroke is a serious life threatening emergency wherein the victim's cooling system has failed and prolonged high body temperature will likely result in brain damage or death. Signs and symptoms include deep breaths followed by shallow breathing, a rapid strong pulse followed by rapid, weak pulse, dry hot skin, dilated pupils, loss of consciousness / possible coma, and possibly seizures or muscular twitching.

BYSTANDER EMERGENCY CARE PROCEDURES

• Activate EMS system (send someone to call 9-1-1).
• Rapidly cool the victim in any manner possible.
• Get victim out of the sun into a cooler area.
• Remove clothing and wrap with wet towels or sheets if possible.
• If cold packs or ice bags are available, pack one under each armpit, behind each knee, one on the groin, one on each wrist and one on each side of the neck.
• Treat for shock.

PreventionYou can take some steps to avoid experiencing these kinds of emergencies: condition yourself adequately before engaging in heavy exercise in the heat; drink plenty of liquids before any outdoor activity and maintain adequate hydration; consume electrolyte rich beverages (Gatoraid) prior to activity; pace yourself and if you start to feel weak, stop, rest, and rehydrate. These tips can be viewed on the Shreveport Fire Department’s Web site at shreveportfire.org . ###