Tips For Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Heat Exhaustion

Heat is caused by excessive loss of water and salt from the body

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is the most serious type of heat illness caused by body heat overload and has a high risk of irreversible damage to body organs and organ systems

Signs and symptoms

• Heavy sweating
• Cool, moist skin
• Body temperature above 38°C
• Weak pulse
• Low blood pressure
• Tired and weak
• Nausea and vomiting
• Thirst
• Panting or breathing rapidly
• Blurred vision

What to do

• Move to a cool area
• Loosen or remove clothing
• Drink cool water
• Spray cool water to large areas of skin or clothing
• Call the office as soon as you are able to or ask someone to call on your behalf to report the situation

Get medical help right away if

• Vomiting
• Symptoms worsen
• Symptoms last longer than 1-hour

Signs and symptoms

• High body temperature, greater than 40°C
• A fast pulse
• Headache or dizziness
• Passing out
• Weakness, confusion, or acting strangely
• Hot, dry, red skin or profusely sweating

What to do

• This is a medical emergency: Call 911 immediately
• Call the office as soon as you are able to or ask someone to call on your behalf to report the situation

While waiting for help to arrive

• Move to a cool area
• Loosen tight clothing, remove padding from chest
• Do not dry the skin

Aggressive Cooling Methods

• Immerse body in cool water
• Immerse forearms in cool water
• Pour cool water over chest
• Fan skin if possible
• Have a cool drink, if alert and able

Preventing Heat-Related Emergencies

• Drink plenty of cool fluids — this is the most important step you can take.
• Try to avoid being outside when the sun is at its peak between 10am – 4pm.
• Know the humidex rating — it combines the temperature and humidity to indicate how hot, humid weather feels to the average person.
• Wear light, loose clothing to let air circulate and heat escape and always wear a hat.
• Apply sunscreen (with SPF 15 or higher) as sunburned skin reduces the body’s ability to cool itself.
• Slow down your activities as it gets hotter and don’t work, exercise, for too long at a time.
• Take a lot of breaks in a cool or shady area to let your body cool off. This will help if you do need to be outside when it’s really hot.