Alex Alikiotis
Heat stroke is a severe form of heat injury and is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the body is exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period, causing a core body temperature of 104°F or higher. Heat stroke can lead to organ damage and even death if not treated promptly. To get out of a heat stroke, it is crucial to act quickly and take appropriate steps to lower body temperature and seek medical attention. This includes moving to a cooler environment, removing unnecessary clothing, and using cooling methods such as cold packs, cool cloths, or immersion in cool water. Additionally, staying hydrated and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption are important preventive measures. Recognizing the symptoms of heat stroke, such as high body temperature, profuse sweating, headache, and behavioural changes, is essential to initiate timely treatment and prevent complications.
What You'll Learn
Call 911 immediately and provide first aid
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. If you suspect that someone is experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately and provide first aid until paramedics arrive.
First, move the person to a cool, shaded area or, ideally, an air-conditioned environment. If the person is wearing any unnecessary clothing, remove it. If the person is wearing heavy protective clothing, remove the outer layers.
If possible, take the person's core body temperature and try to cool it to 101 to 102 °F. Use a thermometer if you have one available, but do not hesitate to initiate first aid if you do not. Try these cooling strategies:
- Fan air over the person while wetting their skin with water from a sponge or garden hose
- Apply ice packs to the person's armpits, groin, neck, and back. These areas are rich in blood vessels close to the skin, so cooling them may reduce body temperature
- Immerse the person in a shower or tub of cool water. If the person is young and healthy and suffered heat stroke while exercising vigorously (exertional heat stroke), you can use an ice bath. Do not use ice for older people, young children, those with chronic illnesses, or anyone whose heat stroke occurred without vigorous exercise, as this can be dangerous
- Place ice or cold wet towels on the person's head, neck, trunk, armpits, and groin
- Use fans to circulate air around the person
Stay with the person until help arrives. Do not leave a person with heat stroke alone, as their condition can rapidly deteriorate. If emergency response is delayed, call the hospital emergency room for additional instructions.
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Remove unnecessary clothing
If you suspect that someone is experiencing heat stroke, it is important to call emergency services and initiate first aid until help arrives. One of the critical steps in providing first aid for heat stroke is to remove unnecessary clothing from the affected person.
Removing unnecessary clothing is crucial because it helps the person's body cool down. Heat stroke occurs when the body is exposed to high temperatures for an extended period, causing a dangerous rise in core body temperature. By taking off any extra layers or tight-fitting garments, you improve the body's ability to regulate its temperature and facilitate the cooling process. This is especially important in hot and humid environments, where the body's natural cooling mechanism of sweating may not be as effective due to the slower evaporation of sweat.
When assisting someone with heat stroke, it is essential to act quickly and remove any clothing items that are not needed or are restrictive. This includes tight-fitting shirts, constrictive collars, or multiple layers of clothing. By doing so, you help the person's body release excess heat more efficiently. Additionally, removing unnecessary clothing allows for better access to the skin, enabling the use of other cooling methods, such as applying cool water with a sponge or garden hose, or using ice packs on the skin.
It is important to note that while removing unnecessary clothing is a vital step in providing first aid for heat stroke, it should be done in conjunction with other cooling measures, such as moving the person to a cooler environment, applying cold packs to specific areas of the body, or immersing them in a cool shower or bath. These combined efforts help bring down the person's core body temperature to a safer range and alleviate the potentially life-threatening effects of heat stroke.
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Cool the person down
If you suspect that someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately and give first aid until paramedics arrive. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. It can cause organ damage and even death if not treated quickly. While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, initiate first aid and try to cool the person down using the following strategies:
Move the Person to a Cool Environment
Remove the person from direct sunlight and heat. Move them to an air-conditioned environment, or at least a cool, shady area.
Remove Unnecessary Clothing
Take off any unnecessary clothing to help lower their body temperature.
Apply Cold Water or Ice
- Wet their skin with cold water using a sponge, spray bottle, or garden hose.
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses to their armpits, groin, neck, and back. These areas are rich in blood vessels close to the skin, so cooling them may reduce body temperature.
- Immerse the person in a shower or tub of cool water. If the person is young and healthy and suffered heat stroke while exercising vigorously, you can use an ice bath to help cool the body further. Do not use ice baths for older individuals, young children, or those with chronic illnesses.
Fan the Person
Use a fan to blow air over the person's body to enhance cooling.
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Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things to do to prevent heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when your body loses the ability to regulate its core temperature due to excessive heat, and staying hydrated helps your body maintain a healthy temperature.
It's important to drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of any physical activity in the heat. If you're going to be exercising, it's a good idea to keep a drink with salt, electrolytes, and a small amount of sugar on hand to replenish what you lose through sweating. Sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade are good options for this. You can also replace salt and electrolytes by drinking sports beverages or fruit juice.
It's generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day to prevent dehydration. If you're going to be outdoors or exercising, it's a good idea to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before and another 8 ounces right before. Continue to drink at least 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes during exercise, even if you don't feel thirsty.
Monitoring the color of your urine is a good way to ensure you're staying hydrated. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration, so be sure to drink enough fluids to maintain very light-colored urine.
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Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing is a crucial step in preventing heat stroke. When you're in hot temperatures, it's important to wear clothing that allows your body to cool itself effectively. Tight-fitting clothes and layers can inhibit this process by making it harder for sweat to evaporate from your body, resulting in a less efficient release of excess heat.
Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing is ideal because it allows air to circulate and promotes evaporation of sweat, which has a cooling effect on the body. This type of clothing also minimizes the amount of insulation around your body, preventing heat from building up. Additionally, it is recommended to choose light-colored clothing as darker colors absorb more heat.
The type of fabric you choose also matters. Opt for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that will help draw sweat away from your body and facilitate evaporation. Cotton, linen, and other natural fibres are good choices for keeping cool.
If you're going to be in direct sunlight, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face from the sun's rays. This will help prevent overheating and reduce the amount of cooling your body needs to do.
It's also important to remember that you should avoid wearing excessive clothing in hot temperatures. This includes not only tight-fitting and layered clothing but also unnecessary accessories or heavy outerwear. The key is to keep your body as cool as possible by maximizing airflow and minimizing insulation.
By wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, you can help prevent heat stroke and stay comfortable in hot weather. This simple step can make a significant difference in maintaining a safe body temperature and avoiding the dangerous consequences of heat stroke.
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Frequently asked questions
Call 911 immediately and give first aid until the paramedics arrive. Move the person to an air-conditioned environment or at least a cool, shady area and remove any unnecessary clothing.
Try these cooling strategies: fan air over the patient while wetting their skin with water, apply ice packs to the armpits, groin, neck, and back, or immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water.
The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is a core body temperature above 104°F. Other symptoms include fainting, dizziness, lack of sweating, red, hot, and dry skin, muscle weakness or cramps, rapid heartbeat, rapid shallow breathing, and behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering.
A:
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Drink plenty of fluids before and during exposure to heat.
- Avoid excess alcohol consumption, as it impairs your body's ability to regulate temperature.
- Use sunscreen and reapply frequently.
- Exercise early in the morning or after sunset, and manage the intensity of your activity.
