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FIELD SAFETY 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. 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. 3
Poisonous Snakes-Coral Snake
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/adv/kidspage/snakes/psnakes.htm#8
Red and yellow will kill a fellow!
Poisonous Snakes-Western
Diamondback 4
Copperhead
Water Moccasin
(Cottonmouth) 5
Tick-borne diseases in TX
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tick/diseases/index_dise
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. 6
Rash Associated with Lyme Disease
Tick Removal
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020815/643
.html
The most commonly recommended and
successful tick-removal method is
manual extraction of the tick.
Wash area after removing. 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. 8
Fleas
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/DISEASES/TYPHUS/typhus.asp
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. 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. 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. 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.
http://augusta.redcross.org/hot.htm
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.
http://augusta.redcross.org/hot.htm 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 life-
threatening. 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. 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 9-1-1 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 ne