Environmental Health and Safety Plan draft for Staten Island Landfill,

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Staten Island Landfill Debris Disposal Operation Health and Safety Program

Uncontrollable shivering. Weakness.

The people most likely to experience hypothermia are those who are very old, very young, or very lean; those who have heart or circulation problems: and people who are hungry, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Hypothermia is one of the body's remarkable responses to cold and can actually protect the brain and heart.

If the victim has both hypothermia and frostbite, give first aid for the hypothermia first.

1) If the victim is conscious and you suspect hypothermia, get the victim out of the cold and seek onsite medical attention. Handle the victim gently. People with hypothermia are at risk for cardiac arrest.

2) If going indoors is not possible, get the victim out of the wind, cover their head, and insulate them from the cold ground. If at all possible, get the victim inside to an area at room temperature and cover them with warm blankets.

3) Once inside, take off any wet or constricting clothes and replace them with dry clothing.

4) Warm the victim. Cover the head and neck. Apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall, and groin. If the victim is alert and can easily swallow, give warm, sweetened fluids (nonalcoholic) to aid in the warming process.

5) Stay with the victim until medical help arrivss.

DO NOT use your own comfort to decide if an area is warm enough, since people respond differently to cold. DO NOT attempt to warm a severely hypothermic person without medical advice. DO NOT use direct heat (such as hot water, a heating pad, or a heat lamp) to warm the victim. DO NOT give the victim alcohol!

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