Credits Hours: 1.50

Course Description:
Thermoregulation is a requirement for sustaining life. When internal or external forces unbalance this process, quick action must be taken to improve the patient's situation.

This course covers the signs and symptoms of hyperthermia, hypothermia, drowning, and near-drowning, as well as of the underlying processes, to help the EMS professional have a greater understanding of how to successfully manage a patient experiencing an environmental emergency in the prehospital setting.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the general anatomy and physiology of the structures involved in heat production and heat loss.
• Describe the general principles related to the assessment and management of the patient with the following environmental emergencies:
  • Hyperthermia
  • Hypothermia
  • Drowning and near-drowning
• Differentiate between environmental injuries and illnesses that are life-threatening and those less likely to produce life-threatening results, given a list of signs and symptoms associated with various types of such injuries and illnesses.
• Construct a treatment plan, given a list of signs and symptoms, for the patient who is a victim of an environmental emergency.