c. Perform Other Cooling Procedures. Additional procedures for cooling the
casualty are given below. Do not delay evacuation in order to begin these procedures.
Continue to perform cooling measures while evacuating the casualty. Iced sheets or
water can be carried when on patrol to enhance your ability to treat this condition in a
tactical environment. It is good to have cooled IV's at this time; administering a warm IV
to a heat stroke casualty would be detrimental to his outcome.
(1)
Move the casualty to a shady area or improvise a shade.
(2)
Have the casualty lie down and elevate his legs.
(3) Remove the casualty's outer garments, protective clothing (leave mask
on if in a chemical environment), and boots.
(4)
Pour water onto the casualty and fan him to promote evaporation.
(5)
Place ice bags on the sides of the casualty's neck and under his armpits.
(6) If the casualty is unconscious, vomiting, or unable to retain fluids given
by mouth, start an intravenous infusion of Ringer's lactate or normal saline. Maintain a
systolic pressure of at least 90 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).
d. Record Treatment. Record the casualty's signs and symptoms and the
treatment administered on a DD Form 1380, U.S. Field Medical Card. If you have taken
the casualty's temperature, record it on the Field Medical Card. Attach the completed
Field Medical Card to the casualty's clothing.
MD0548
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