FIELD SAFETY. Lightning-30/30 Rule

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1 FIELD SAFETY Lightning Safety Poisonous Snakes Fleas and Ticks Wasps Outdoor safety for hot weather Outdoor safety for cold weather Lightning-30/30 Rule During thunderstorms, no place outside is safe. But lightning safety experts agree that you can minimize your risk if thunderstorms develop or approach by following these steps: When you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, quickly go inside a substantial building. If such a building is not available, a metal-topped vehicle is the next best choice. Wait at least 30 minutes after seeing the last lightning or hearing the last thunder before going back outside. 1

2 Lightning (cont.) The two mostly deadly places you can be are in open spaces or under trees. Avoid open spaces and trees during thunderstorms. Also avoid things that conduct electricity such as water, utility lines, and metal fences. Get to a safe place as quickly as you can. A substantial, enclosed building is the safest place. A metal-topped vehicle with the windows up is the next best alternative if you can't get to a building. Boaters: Get off the water and go to a safe place. Swimmers: Get out of the water and go to a safe place. Players on open playing fields: Get off the field and go to safe place. Golfers: Leave the golf course and go to a safe place, such as a clubhouse. Hikers: Turn around and go back to a building or your metal-topped vehicle. Your last resort is stay low and stay away from trees and other tall things. Lightning (cont.) If you're still outdoors and lightning has struck close to you, crouch down into a ball on the balls of your feet. Your goal is to be the smallest target possible with the least contact with the ground. Do not seek shelter under tall or isolated trees or unsubstantial shelters. It's better to be wet from the rain than dead or disabled from lightning. 2

3 Poisonous Snakes-Coral Snake Red and yellow will kill a fellow! Poisonous Snakes-Western Diamondback 3

4 Copperhead Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) 4

5 Tick-borne diseases in TX ases.htm Lyme Disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Ehrlichiosis Relapsing Fever All of these diseases are transmitted by the bite of an infected tick If caught early, these diseases can almost always be cured If left untreated, they can be serious or even fatal. Early symptoms of these diseases Early symptoms of these diseases mimic the "flu include fever headache Tiredness stiff neck or neck pain muscle aches, and joint pain. 5

6 Rash Associated with Lyme Disease Tick Removal The most commonly recommended and successful tick-removal method is manual extraction of the tick. Wash area after removing. 6

7 Tick Removal Tick Removal Ineffective or Dangerous Methods of Removing Ticks: Do not use sharp forceps. Do not crush, puncture, or squeeze the tick's body. Do not apply substances such as petroleum jelly, gasoline, lidocaine (Xylocaine), etc., to the tick. Do not apply heat with a match or hot nail. Do not use a twisting or jerking motion to remove the tick. Do not handle the tick with bare hands. 7

8 Fleas Murine typhus, also called fleaborne or endemic typhus, is a rickettsial disease caused by the organism Rickettsia typhi. Another organism, R. felis, may also play a role in causing murine typhus. Rickettsiae are a type of bacteria. Most of the murine typhus cases in Texas occur in South Texas from Nueces County southward to the Rio Grande Valley, but a few cases are reported in other parts of the state each year. Fleas (cont) People get murine typhus from an infected flea. Most fleas defecate while biting; the feces of infected fleas contain the rickettsial organism. The rickettsiae enter the body through the bite wound or from a person scratching the bite area. The incubation period for murine typhus is 6 to 14 days. Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Five or six days after the initial symptoms, you may get a rash that starts on the trunk of your body and spreads to your arms and legs. If left untreated, the disease may last for several months. Seek medical attention. 8

9 Wasp Africanized killer Bees RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN! Wear long sleeves, long pants Bring first aid kit for stings. Or, bring Benadryl (dephenhydramine) to reduce severity of reaction to sting. Get into car and turn on air conditioner. If stung, seek medical attention. 9

10 Mosquitos West Nile Virus infection may produce mild flu-like illness symptoms, but it can also cause encephalitis and death. There is neither a vaccine nor a specific treatment for this illness; therefore, prevention is the only rational strategy. Mostly elderly, weakened immune system most vulnerable. Rabies Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the brain and nerves. Exposure possible anywhere you encounter wildlife You and your pets can get rabies from the bite or scratch of a rabid animal. You can also be infected by getting a rabid animal's saliva in your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If an animal bites you, immediately wash the bite with soap and water. See a doctor as soon as possible. 10

11 Heat Weather Tips Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella. Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine which dehydrate the body. Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein which increase metabolic heat. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician. Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Stay indoors when possible. Heat Cramps Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is generally thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes the cramps. 11

12 Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly. Signals include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal. Heat Stroke Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is lifethreatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- sometimes as high as 105 F. 12

13 GENERAL CARE FOR HEAT EMERGENCIES... Cool the Body Give Fluids Minimize Shock Heat cramps/heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths such as towels or wet sheets. Heat Stroke Emergency Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. (Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin's pores and prevents heat loss.) Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down. 13

14 Hypothermia-Emergency Get the victim into a warm room or shelter. If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it. Warm the center of the body first chest, neck, head, and groin using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Frostbite Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. 14

15 Recognizing Frostbite At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite: a white or grayish-yellow skin area skin that feels unusually firm or waxy Numbness /guide.asp#outdoor Frostbite Emergency Get into a warm room as soon as possible. Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes this increases the damage. Immerse the affected area in warm not hot water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body). Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage. Don t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned. 15