EMS Protocol of the Week - Cold Emergencies and Heat Emergencies (Adult and Pediatric)

As the weather is (finally…hopefully) getting better, it seems as good a time as any to do a quick review of temperature-related emergencies. Not a ton that should shock you from the cold emergencies protocol - the name of the game is all about removal from the exposure. Also use this opportunity to remember that you’re not dead until you’re warm and dead; keep that in mind should you encounter a cardiac arrest for someone who fell into a pond or, like, a walk-in freezer.

Note that the heat emergencies protocol is designed to have you think about both passive environmental exposures and provoked hyperthermia from things like long-distance running. The latter point becomes more significant as we consider the eventual return of marathons and the like. In these cases, obviously control of environmental exposure is important, but don’t forget about other race-related pathology as well (electrolyte derangement related to hydration status, exercise-induced collapse, arrhythmias, etc.). The Key Points/Considerations section advises OLMC contact prior to oral hydration of patients with possible water intoxication, so just keep that mind if you take a call asking if it’s okay to give someone Gatorade.

That’s all, folks! www.nycremsco.org or the protocol binder for more. Until then, stay cool/warm/temperate!

Dave