Course Description:

LaHRH 103: Heat-Related Illness - Risk Factors, Types & Prevention is third in a four-course learning series. 

While there are several types of natural disasters that can affect the Southeastern region of the United States, the most common are hurricanes and flooding events, particularly here in Louisiana. The start of hurricane season, June 1st, coincides with when temperatures throughout Louisiana begin becoming uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, with average maximum temperatures climbing into the lower 90s (℉) and average maximum heat indexes climbing into the upper 90s (℉). Because temperature and humidity typically are high following a hurricane or flooding event, it is important to take steps to prevent heat-related illness as clean-up activities are undertaken.

In this course you will learn about heat stress and heat-related illness. You will learn how to identify vulnerable populations, associated risk factors, and the different forms of heat-related illness including signs and symptoms, predisposing factors, and recommended first aid for each form of illness. Finally, you will learn how to prevent heat stress and heat-related illness. Although most of the data and material in this course is presented in the context of workers and the work environment, it applies to everyone. As anyone involved in clean-up or response efforts after a major storm event can tell you, it is work, whether that work is done as an unpaid community volunteer, a citizen dealing with clean-up of their personal property, or as a paid employee of a company or other type of organization. The information found in this course applies to all of these scenarios.