5.14 Heat Exposure

Symptoms:

• dizziness
• tiredness
• irritability
• thirst
• bright or dark urine
• loss of appetite
• fainting.

First Aid:  

• Drink plenty of water or alternate with cordial.
• Avoid alcohol and drinks high in caffeine and sugar.
• Move to a cool place, lie down, and remove excess clothing.
• Seek medical help if you start to feel unwell.

Symptoms:

• profuse sweating
• painful muscle cramps usually in the legs and abdominal muscles.

First Aid:

• Stop activity and sit quietly in a cool place.
• Increase fluid intake.
• Rest a few hours before returning to activity.
• Stretch and gently massage affected muscles.
• Seek medical help if cramps persist.

Symptoms:

• pale complexion and profuse sweating
• fatigue, weakness and restlessness
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• weak rapid heart rate
• breathing fast and shallow
• muscle cramps
• weakness
• fainting.

First Aid:  This is properly serious

• Move to a cool place, lie down, and remove excess clothing.
• To cool down the body try a cool shower, bath or sponge bath, place moist, cool cloths on forehead, wrists, sides of neck, underarms and groin area, fan continuously.
• Give small sips of cool water or diluted fruit juice or cordial (1 part juice in 4 parts water).
• If recovery isn’t quick or vomiting occurs, seek emergency medical assistance.

Symptoms:

• confusion
• poor coordination or slurred speech
• hot, dry skin, possibly not sweating
• fast and shallow breaths
• rapid pulse
• extreme fatigue
• headache
• fainting
• vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of consciousness.

First Aid:  This is a medical emergency.

Call the Ambulance, then:

• DRSABCD - check airway, breathing and pulse.  If unconscious position on side.  CPR if required.
• if possible, move person to a cool place, lie them down and remove excess clothing.
• cool the body by placing moist, cool cloths on forehead, wrists, sides of neck, underarms and groin area, and fan continuously.
• give small sips of fluids only if conscious and able to swallow.