Navajo EMS Environmental Emergencies, Heat, Cold & Altitude

26-GRMT-F3-0034 This self-paced activity is designed for EMTs and focuses on the assessment and management of environmental emergencies involving heat, cold, and altitude exposure. Using case-based discussion, participants will review scene safety, BLS assessment, early recognition of patient deterioration, immediate treatment priorities, reassessment, and transport decisions. Topics include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, exertional heat illness, hypothermia, frostbite, non-freezing cold injuries, cold-water exposure, altitude illness, acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema, high-altitude cerebral edema, associated trauma, airway and oxygen support, active cooling and warming methods, glucose assessment, prevention of further exposure, ALS activation, and communication with medical control and receiving facilities. Learning Objectives At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to: Identify heat-, cold-, and altitude-related emergencies requiring immediate BLS care and rapid transport Differentiate heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke based on assessment findings Recognize hypothermia, frostbite, acute mountain sickness, and signs of severe altitude illness Apply appropriate EMT-level airway support, oxygen therapy, cooling, warming, reassessment, and transport interventions Communicate environmental exposure history, patient findings, treatments, changes in condition, and transport priorities clearly Completion Requirements • Complete the full course • Pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher • Complete the course evaluation Certificate Information: CAPCE credit