Get to cover! 5 Tips to avoid Heat Stroke

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are very dangerous. They can be especially serious for children, seniors and pets.

So, what is Heat Stroke? And how is it different from Heat Exhaustion?

• Headache
• Body temperature less than 40 degrees Celsius
• Muscle cramps
• Exhaustion and general weakness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizzy spells
• Pale, cool, clammy skin at first, becoming flushed and red later
• A rapid, weak pulse

• Typically no longer sweating
• Red, hot and dry skin
• A body temperature over 40°C
• A rapid, strong pulse.
• Rapid, noisy breathing
• Irrational or aggressive behaviour
• Deterioration of the conscious state

1. Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinking extremely cold liquids as they can cause stomach cramps
2. Stay cool and keep air circulating around you. Draw your blinds or curtains and use a fan or air conditioning if possible
3. Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads
4. Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton and linen
5. Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cold water and taking cool (not cold) showers

• Limit outdoor activity to the coolest part of the day
• Protect yourself from the sun and ‘slip, slop, slap’ when outside by covering exposed skin, using sunscreen and wearing a hat
• ‘Seek’ shade and ‘slide’ on some sunglasses
• Rest regularly in the shade and drink fluids frequently

1. Lie the patient down in a cool shaded area
2. Give the patient sips of a solution that is ½ teaspoon of salt in 500 ml of water
3. Do NOT give them salt tablets
4. If the patient has experienced severe vomiting or diarrhoea seek medical assistance. Call an Ambulance or ask a bystander to call 000
5. Assist the patient to stretch any camped muscles whilst sponging them with cold water

1. Clear the airway  
2. Follow the Basic Life Support
3. Cool using ice-packs under the armpits groin and back of the neck. If the ice is unavailable pour water over the patient and wrap him in wet sheets or towels
4. Fan them with whatever is available: electric fan, towel, newspaper
5. Call or seek medical assistance

• While waiting for emergency medical help, get the person to a cool shady area and lay them down
• Remove excess clothing and wet their skin with water or wrap in wet cloths, fanning continuously
• Do not give the person fluids to drink
• Position an unconscious person on their side and clear their airway
• Monitor their body temperature where possible and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops below 38 °C
• Wait for the ambulance to transport the person to hospital, where more intensive cooling and support can be given
• If medical attention is delayed, seek further instructions from ambulance or hospital emergency staff

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