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Heat emergencies

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Heatstroke

First Aid:

1. Have the person lie down in a cool place. Elevate the person's feet about 12 inches.
2. Apply cool, wet cloths (or cool water directly) to the person's skin and use a fan to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses on the person's neck, groin, and armpits.
3. If alert, give the person beverages to sip (such as Gatorade), or make a salted drink by adding a teaspoon of salt per quart of water. Give a half cup every 15 minutes. Cool water will do if salt beverages are not available.
4. For muscle cramps , give beverages as above and massage affected muscles gently, but firmly, until they relax.
5. If the person shows signs of shock ( bluish lips and fingernails and decreased alertness ), starts having seizures , or loses consciousness, call 911 and administer first aid accordingly.

Do Not:

• DO NOT underestimate the seriousness of heat illness, especially if the person is a child, elderly, or injured.
• DO NOT give the person medications that are used to treat fever (such as aspirin or acetaminophen). They will not help, and they may be harmful.
• DO NOT give the person salt tablets.
• DO NOT give the person liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. They will interfere with the body's ability to control its internal temperature.
• DO NOT use alcohol rubs on the person's skin.
• DO NOT give the person anything by mouth (not even salted drinks) if the person is vomiting or unconscious.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Call 911 if:

• The person loses consciousness at any time.
• There is any other change in the person's alertness (for example, confusion or seizures).
• The person has a fever over 102°F.
• Other symptoms of heat stroke are present (like rapid pulse or rapid breathing).
• The person's condition does not improve, or worsens despite treatment.

References:

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:240-316.

DeLee JC, Drez Jr. D, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003:763.

• Review Date: 1/16/2007
• Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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