Environmental Injuries

What is hypothermia?

• ANormal body temperature
• BAbnormally low body temperature, typically below 35°C✓
• CA condition seen only outside the UK
• DHigh body temperature

Answer: Hypothermia is when the body's core temperature drops below 35°C. It can occur in any cold environment and is life-threatening.

What are the signs of hypothermia?

• AOnly confusion, with a normal skin temperature, no shivering and no change in the person's speech
• BOnly shivering
• CShivering, confusion, slowness, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness in severe cases✓
• DOnly loss of consciousness

Answer: Signs include violent shivering, confusion and disorientation, slurred speech, slow movement, memory loss, and progressive loss of consciousness.

What is the appropriate first aid for hypothermia?

• AGive them a strong alcoholic drink to warm them from the inside, then rub their arms and legs briskly
• BSit them close to a fan heater and rub the skin briskly with a towel until the shivering has stopped
• CGradually warm the person, handle gently, remove wet clothing, apply warm blankets, and call 999✓
• DSubmerge them in a hot bath immediately so that the body temperature comes back up as quickly as possible

Answer: Handle gently, remove wet clothing, wrap in warm blankets, insulate from the ground, give warm drinks if conscious, and call 999. Avoid rapid warming.

Why is rapid warming dangerous in hypothermia?

• AIt is perfectly safe
• BIt speeds up recovery so quickly that the casualty may feel faint for a short time
• CIt causes burns to the skin, which is the only real risk of warming somebody too fast
• DIt can cause afterdrop (further temperature drop) and cardiac arrhythmias✓

Answer: Rapid external warming can cause 'afterdrop' (peripheral vasodilation causing core temperature to drop further) and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances.

What is heat stroke?

• ANormal body temperature
• BMild dehydration after exercise
• COnly a minor condition
• DA serious condition with body temperature above 40°C, characterised by loss of sweating and confusion✓

Answer: Heat stroke is a serious condition where the body temperature rises above 40°C. The person stops sweating, becomes confused, and can lose consciousness.

What are the signs of heat stroke?

• AOnly headache
• BHeavy sweating only, with a normal body temperature, clear thinking, and no confusion or drowsiness at any stage
• COnly feeling hot
• DNo sweating despite heat, high body temperature, confusion, loss of consciousness, and possible seizures✓

Answer: Signs include high body temperature, cessation of sweating (hot dry skin), confusion, irritability, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.

What is the appropriate first aid for heat stroke?

• ACover them with blankets and move them somewhere warm until the ambulance arrives
• BGive salt tablets and a warm drink to replace what has been lost in sweat
• CGive a warm, sugary drink and let them rest quietly in the same room until they feel better
• DCool the person rapidly using water, ice, or fanning, and call 999✓

Answer: Cool the person rapidly by applying ice, using tepid water, or fanning. Remove unnecessary clothing, call 999, and monitor temperature.

What is heat exhaustion?

• AThe most severe heat-related illness, in which the body stops sweating and the temperature passes 40°C
• BCaused by eating hot food
• CA less severe condition than heat stroke, characterised by heavy sweating and weakness✓
• DA condition unrelated to temperature

Answer: Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive fluid through sweating. It causes dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating, and can progress to heat stroke.

What are the signs of heat exhaustion?

• AHeavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, rapid pulse, and body temperature around 38-40°C✓
• BAbsence of sweating
• CLoss of consciousness immediately
• DDry skin

Answer: Signs include heavy sweating, pale clammy skin, weakness, dizziness, rapid pulse, headache, and normal or slightly elevated body temperature.

What is the appropriate first aid for heat exhaustion?

• AGive salt tablets only, then encourage them to carry on working as soon as they start to feel better
• BMove to a cool place, lie down with legs elevated, give cool fluids, and cool the skin✓
• CKeep them in the heat
• DApply heat

Answer: Move to a cool place, lie down with legs elevated, drink cool water gradually, cool the skin with water/fanning, and monitor condition.

What is drowning?

• ALoss of consciousness and breathing caused by water in the airway✓
• BA condition that is never fatal once the person has been pulled out of the water
• CSwimming in the sea when the water is colder than the body can tolerate
• DSimply being in water for longer than the body can comfortably cope with

Answer: Drowning occurs when water enters the airway and prevents breathing. It can happen quickly and silently, especially in children.

What are the signs of someone who is drowning?

• ALoud splashing only, with normal breathing and no difficulty at all in keeping the head above water
• BCalling loudly for help while waving both arms above the head to attract the attention of others
• CGasping, struggling to stay upright, inability to call for help, and loss of coordination✓
• DRelaxation in water

Answer: Signs include gasping, struggling to stay afloat, inability to call out, head back at water level, glassy eyes, and loss of horizontal body position.

What is the appropriate first aid for a rescued drowning casualty?

• AGive them food
• BLeave them in a warm place
• CStart CPR if not breathing, place in recovery position if breathing, remove wet clothing, apply blankets, call 999✓
• DMake them cough

Answer: If not breathing, start CPR immediately. If breathing, place in recovery position, remove wet clothing, wrap warmly, and call 999. Watch for delayed effects.

What is electric shock?

• AA harmless sensation
• BThe shock a person feels after an unexpected fright or a sudden loud noise
• COnly occurs with high voltage supplies such as overhead power lines and railway rails
• DInjury caused by electric current passing through the body✓

Answer: Electric shock occurs when electric current passes through the body. Even low voltage can be dangerous, especially if the path is through the heart.

What should you do if someone is in contact with a live electrical source?

• ASwitch off the power, ensure your safety, then treat the casualty✓
• BIgnore the electrical supply and start treating the casualty where they lie
• CPull them away from the source immediately, using your bare hands to grip them
• DTouch them with a metal object such as a spade to break their contact with the supply

Answer: Do not touch the person directly. Switch off the power immediately if possible, then check responsiveness and treat as needed. Call 999.

What are the signs of electric shock injury?

• ABurns where current entered and exited, irregular heart rhythm, breathing difficulty, unconsciousness✓
• BAn absence of visible signs
• COnly pain at the point of contact, with no effect on the heart, the breathing or the level of consciousness
• DOnly unconsciousness

Answer: Signs include burns at entry and exit points, irregular heart rhythm, breathing difficulty, cardiac arrest, burns inside the body, and unconsciousness.

What is poisoning?

• AA minor upset that passes quickly
• BFood poisoning only
• CAccidental eating of food
• DHarmful effects from swallowing, inhaling, or absorbing toxic substances✓

Answer: Poisoning occurs when toxic substances enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, injection, or absorption. It can be intentional or accidental.

What is the appropriate first aid for suspected poisoning?

• ACall 999/Poison Control, identify the substance, do not induce vomiting, and monitor✓
• BMake the casualty vomit straight away so that the poison is brought back up out of the stomach
• CGive activated charcoal only
• DApply ice

Answer: Call 999 or the Poison Control Centre immediately. Identify the substance if possible. Do not induce vomiting. Monitor the casualty's breathing and consciousness.

What should you do if someone has swallowed a corrosive substance?

• AGive them water or milk to drink so that the corrosive substance is diluted in the stomach
• BApply a local antidote taken from the chemical's own Safety Data Sheet
• CDo not give anything; call 999 immediately and follow their advice✓
• DMake them vomit by putting your fingers to the back of their throat straight away

Answer: Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth. Call 999 immediately and describe the substance. Let paramedics decide on treatment.

What is the correct sequence for treating an unconscious casualty found in a cold environment?

• AGentle handling, removal from cold, gradual warming, checking for breathing, CPR if needed, call 999✓
• BRapid rewarming in a hot bath or hot shower, followed by a hot drink and some brisk exercise to get the circulation going
• CVigorous exercise, such as star jumps, to raise the body temperature before anything else is attempted
• DTreatment is unnecessary; the casualty will recover unaided

Answer: Treat gently (the hypothermic heart is irritable), remove from cold, check for breathing, start CPR if needed, gradually warm, and call 999. The person may recover even after prolonged cold exposure.