By Scott Brown - Director & Senior Instructor, Rural and Remote First Aid
The human body is designed to work in a very narrow temperature range, specifically, within a couple of degrees. As such, it works very hard to stay in the optimal temperature range. If a person is too hot or too cold, the body starts to shut down.
Working on the land sometimes means long, hot days in the sun or on the header, and the risk of heat-related illnesses is very real for growers.
The very young and the elderly are more susceptible to heat and cold-related illnesses. Being sick, dehydrated or drinking a lot of alcohol will also increase the risk.
When people are not in their ‘normal’ temperature zone, they are also at risk because they miss the early warning signs. For example, those from southern Australian states will be at risk in the northern summer temperatures. Likewise, northern Australian residents in colder environments will be at risk.
If your core temperature is elevated, it is known as Hyperthermia.
If your core temperature is lowered it is known as Hypothermia.
Hyperthermia = too hot
Hypothermia = too cold
Hyperthermia (elevated core temperature) can be caused by:
- Excessive heat absorption from a hot environment, such as being outside in the sun, being stuck in a hot vehicle or wearing dark/thick clothing on a hot day
- Excessive heat production from metabolic activity, such as strenuous work or exercising hard
- Failure of the body’s cooling mechanisms, such as not drinking enough fluid and running out of sweat, taking drugs that affect how your body regulates heat
- Change in the body’s set temperature, such as due to infection/illness.
Stages of heat-related illness
There are three stages of heat-related illness to be aware of:
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
All three stages are serious. Getting treatment in the early stages can prevent heat stroke.
The risk of a patient dying from heat stroke can be as high as 70%.
Recognition is the key to treatment of Hyperthermia.
So what should you do?
There are two steps that you can follow immediately:
- Remove from the cause – shelter, shade, or the coolest place you can find (the cab of an air-conditioned vehicle is great!)
- Restore core temperature – repeated sips of water (with electrolytes is beneficial), remove unnecessary clothing, fan, pour water on them, cool packs in armpits, groin and neck, etc.
If at any stage you think the person has stopped sweating, please add 1a: Urgent Medical Aid.
Heat Stroke is a medical emergency!
Monitoring urine output is a way to track the body's liquid levels.
A ‘trigger’ I like to think about is simply this: If I’m hot, my mates are hot. So, let’s check on each other.
Some farming businesses have instigated a ‘target’ of water consumption by lunchtime. This ensures that fluid levels are at least maintained. Remember, this may not eliminate the problem, but it will reduce the risk.
Stay safe out there.
