Beat the Heat! How to Help Someone Suffering from a Heat Emergency

It's a sweltering hot summer day.  You're walking on the white-hot sidewalk, sweat pouring down your face, when you suddenly notice a jogger hunched over on the ground.  You approach her and notice that she's drenched in sweat -- her eyes are half-closed and she's mumbling incoherently.  This is a serious medical emergency.

Heat emergencies occur when a person's body overheats from hot temperatures and dehydration.  It is critical to identify early signs of a heat emergency because without early treatment, symptoms can worsen and become life-threatening.  Your quick actions could save a life.

There are 3 types of heat emergencies in order from least-to-most severe:  

Heat Cramps

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Stroke

1) Heat Cramps - An early sign that the body is having trouble with heat.

• Signs:  painful muscular spasms, usually in the legs or abdomen; often heavy sweating; the patient is awake and in a lot of pain.

• Treatment:

  • Move the person to a shady or cool spot.

  • If the person is awake and able to swallow, give him slow sips of a drink containing electrolytes and carbohydrates (a commercial sports drink, coconut water or milk), or regular water.

  • Gently stretch the muscle and massage the area to relieve the cramps.

  • If the person becomes confused or unconscious, call 9-1-1.

2) Heat Exhaustion - More serious and can become deadly if left untreated.

• Signs:  cool, moist skin; headache; dizziness; weakness; nausea.

• Treatment:

  • Move the person to a shady or cool spot.

  • Remove excess clothing.

  • Spray the person with cool water or apply cool wet cloths, and fan him.

  • If the person is awake and able to swallow, give him slow sips of a drink containing electrolytes and carbohydrates (a commercial sports drink, coconut water or milk), or regular water. Don't let the person drink too quickly.

  • If the person becomes confused or unconscious, call 9-1-1.

3) Heat Stroke - A life threatening emergency.

• Signs:  changed mental status (i.e. confusion, unresponsiveness, seizures); hot skin; vomiting; rapid breathing; difficulty seeing.

• Treatment:

  • Call or have someone else call  9-1-1.

  • Move the patient to a cool area, if possible.

  • Rapidly cool the body using ice or cold water. Consider submerging the patient in a cool bath, or place ice cold compresses on the neck, armpits and groin. Do not pour water onto the head or face.

  • Continue rapidly cooling the person for 20 minutes or until the person can respond to questions.

  • Do not give the person anything to drink if they are not awake or cannot swallow.

  • If the person starts vomiting, roll them on their side to prevent them from choking.

  • If necessary, begin CPR.

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