Extreme heat can lead to severe illness or even death, especially in the heatwave like conditions Australia has been experiencing this summer. Extreme heat is responsible for hundreds of deaths each year where that number is expected to double in the next 40 years. Those most at risk are the elderly, those with chronic illness, people living in socioeconomic disadvantage, outdoor workers and even athletes that play their sports in viciously high temperatures. However, extreme heat can affect anyone at any age.
How we lose and gain heat
Our core body temperature sits at around 37℃. If it rises or falls, a range of very efficient physiological mechanisms come into play. In good health, our body can usually cope well with deviations of about 3.5℃, but beyond that the body begins to show signs of distress.
Extreme heat is responsible for hundreds of unattended deaths each year where that number is expected to double in the next 40 years
In hot weather, the body maintains core temperature by losing heat in several ways. One is to transfer it to a cooler environment, such as surrounding air or water, through our skin. But if the surrounding temperature is the same or higher than the skin the effectiveness of this mechanism is markedly reduced.
What happens if the body can’t lose heat
Heat stress describes a spectrum of heat-related disorders that occur when the body fails to lose heat to maintain core temperature. Heat stress ranges from heat cramps to heat exhaustion (pale, sweating, dizzy and fainting). If the core temperature rises above 40.5℃, it can lead to heatstroke, which is a medical emergency, can occur suddenly and often kills.
What is an Unattended Death
An unattended death occurs when an individual dies alone. Oftentimes, in the case of an unattended death, the body is not immediately found resulting in an unattended death situation. The most common types of situations in which an unattended death occurs include accidents, sudden health issues, suicide or natural causes. Directly after a person dies, the decomposition process commences. When a death is unattended, days, weeks, or even longer may pass before the deceased individual’s remains are discovered.
Unattended Death Cleaning Brisbane
Unlike what normally is done following an attended death, what is known as biohazard remediation follows an unattended death. A biohazard technically is defined as material of a biological origin that has the ability to have negative, even fatal, effects on humans. Following an unattended death, remediation is the process of eliminating harmful or fatal substances associated with the remains of the deceased individual.
Considering the difficult nature of an unattended death clean-up including the distressing nature of decomposition and the potential health hazards associated, remedying the situation is a job for professional and experienced trauma scene cleaners.
Brisbane Crime Scene Cleaners are experienced Unattended Death bio remediation specialists who are able to help return the property or scene to a clean, decontaminated state.
