Dixie County Emergency Management Disaster Planning
County Offices
County Services
DISASTER PLANNING: First Aid for Heat-Induced Illnesses
Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of heat-induced illnesses. The following table lists these illnesses, their symptoms, and the first aid treatment.
Greatest Risks
Infants and children up to four years of age
People 65 years of age or older
People who are overweight
People who overexert during work or exercise
People who are ill or on certain medications
| Condition | Symptoms | First Aid |
| Sunburn | Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches | Take a shower using soap to remove oils that may block
pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally. Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters, and get medical attention. |
| Heat Cramps | Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles; heavy sweating | Get the victim to a cooler location. Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms. Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.) Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated. |
| Heat Exhaustion | Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale, or flushed. Weak pulse. Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and headaches are possible. | Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen or remove clothing. Apply cool, wet clothes. Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place. Give sips of water if victim is conscious. Be sure water is consumed slowly. Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Discontinue water if victim is nauseated. Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs. |
| Heat Stroke ( a severe medical emergency) | High body temperature (105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity. Possible unconsciousness. | Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim
to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal. Move victim to a cooler environment. Removing clothing Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to reduce body temperature. Watch for breathing problems. Use extreme caution. Use fans and air conditioners. |
Sunburn
Symptoms include painful spasms usually in leg and abdominal muscles, and heavy sweating. First Aid measures include firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Weak pulse. Normal temperature possible. Fainting, vomiting First Aid: Get victim to lie down in a cool place. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned place. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue. If vomiting occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
Additional Disaster Information
Disaster Planning DIXIE COUNTY 411
PHONE BOOK |
| Clerk of Court Phone:352.498.1200 Fax:352.498.1201 |
| Commissioner Office Phone:352.498.1206 Fax:352.498.1207 |
| County Attorney Phone:352.498.5048 Fax:386.294.1689 |
| County Building Dept. Phone:352.498.1236 Fax:352.498.1286 |
| County Finance Office Phone:352.498.1205 Fax:352.498.1476 |
| County Health Dept. Phone:352.498.1360 Fax:352.498.1363 |
| County Jail Phone:352.498.1237 Fax:352.498. |
| County Judge Phone:352.498.1234 Fax:352.498.1477 |
| County Library Phone:352.498.1219 Fax:352.498.1408 |
| County Manager Phone:352.498.1426 Fax:352.498.1471 |
| County Public Works Phone:352.498.1239 Fax:352.498.1207 |
| Elections Supervisor Phone:352.498.1216 Fax:352.498.1218 |
| Emergency Services Phone:352.498.1240 Fax:352.498.1244 |
| Property Appraiser Phone:352.498.1212 Fax:352.498.1211 |
| School Superintendent Phone:352.498.6131 Fax:352.498.1308 |
| Tax Collector Phone:352.498.1213 Fax:352.498. |
| Sheriff Phone:352.498.1220 Fax:352.498.1226 |
| UF/IFAS Extension Phone:352.498.1237 Fax:352.498.1471 |
| Veteran's Affairs Phone:352.498.1246 Fax:352.498.1286 |