Heat exhaustion
If you suspect that someone has heat exhaustion, follow the advice outlined below.
- Get them to rest in a cool place – ideally a room with air conditioning or, if this isn't possible, somewhere in the shade.
- Get them to drink fluids – this should be water or a rehydration drink, such as a sports drink; they should stop taking fluid on board once their symptoms have greatly decreased (usually within two to three hours).
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine as these can increase levels of dehydration.
- Cool their skin with cold water – if available, use a cool shower or bath to cool them down, otherwise apply a cool, wet flannel or facecloth to their skin.
- Loosen clothing and ensure that the person gets plenty of ventilation.
Dial 999 to request an ambulance if the person doesn't respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.
If the person is more at risk of developing heatstroke or suffering complications from dehydration then they should be taken to hospital either way. This group includes:
- children under two years old
- very elderly people
- people with kidney, heart or circulation problems
- people with diabetes who use insulin
Heatstroke
First aid
Always call an ambulance in cases of suspected heatstroke. While you're waiting for the ambulance to arrive you should do the following:
- Move the person to a cool area as quickly as possible.
- Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
- If they're conscious, give them water to drink but don't give them medication, such as aspirin or paracetamol.
- Shower their skin with cool, but not cold, water (15-18°C).
- Alternatively, cover their body with cool, damp towels or sheets, or immerse them in cool but not cold water.
- It's better to wait for medical supervision before fully immersing them in water, such as in a bath, as the body’s response could cause them harm.
- Gently massage their skin to encourage circulation.
- If they start to have a seizure (fit), move nearby objects out of the way to prevent injury (don't use force or put anything in their mouth).
- If the person is unconscious and vomiting, move them into the recovery position by turning them on their side and making sure that their airways are clear.
Hospital treatment
After a person has been admitted to hospital, the most important treatment goal is to lower their temperature as quickly as possible. This can be done in two ways:
- immersing their body in an ice-bath
- spraying their body with a mist of cool water while warm air is fanned over the body; the combination of cool water and warm air encourages rapid heat loss through evaporation
