Some tips to deal with heat exposure
Heat exhaustion: Less dangerous than heat stroke, it typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate, as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly.
Signals include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
– Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high – sometimes as high as 105 F.
– General care for heat emergencies: Cool the body, give fluids, minimize shock.
– Heat cramps/heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them as they can make conditions worse. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet clothes such as towels or wet sheets.
– Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Get help fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number.
Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the victim’s wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels.
Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin’s pores and prevents heat loss.
Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear.
Keep the person lying down.