Emergency Care for Heat-Related Conditions

When a person is exposed to high temperatures, they can experience heat related emergencies. Heat cramps, Heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are three common heat related emergencies. Knowing what to do and how to handle a heat relate emergency can mean the difference between life and death in some cases.

Heat cramps are the least severe of all heat related emergencies, and are often the first sign that a person has been exposed to the heat for too long and the person is having troubles. Heat cramps are described as painful muscle spasms that normally occur in the legs and abdominal area. If you or someone you know begins having heat cramps, you should think of them as a warning; they can lead to more severe heat related emergencies.

If you or someone else is having heat cramps, it is important to get to a cool place and rest. Drink water or a sports drink that is full of electrolytes to help ward off dehydration and refuel the body's electrolytes. Do not drink a lot of fluids at one time, only about four ounces every fifteen minutes. Lightly massage the area where the cramps are and stretch the muscle. Do not take salt tablets or drink salt water because they can and often do make the cramps worse. Once the cramps go away, if there are no other signs of heat related emergencies, it is okay to begin activity again. Remember to keep yourself hydrated, or to help the person who had the cramps to keep hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids and keep an eye out for any other possible problems.

Heat exhaustion is a more severe heat related emergency than heat cramps. Heat exhaustion is common in athletes, firefighters, construction workers, and people who are wearing heavy or too much clothing in a hot and humid environment. Skin that is cool to the touch, appears pale, grayish, or flushed are all signs of heat exhaustion. In addition to appearances and the temperature of the skin, a person with heat exhaustion may have a headache; feel nauseous, dizzy, weak, or just plain exhausted.

If you notice any of these signs, you should first move the person to a cool place. Then, loosen or remove their clothing to allow the air to hit their skin. Fan the person with your hand or a book. If possible, move the person to an area where the air is circulating and apply wet towels to their skin. If the person is conscious, give them small amounts of water or a sports drink. Do not allow them to drink a lot at one time because that can cause cramps and vomiting. You want to give them approximately four ounces of liquid every fifteen minutes. If the condition does not improve, or is you think the person may be having a heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or you local emergency response number.

Heat stroke is the most severe heat related emergency, and the least common. Heat stroke is likely to happen when a person ignores the signs of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke occurs when the body systems are overwhelmed by the heat. When this happens, the body systems begin to shut down and stop functioning. Heat stroke is a very serious medical emergency and the person needs medical help immediately.

If you think that a person is suffering from a heat stroke, do not waste any time getting them help. Before you do anything else, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency response number. Once you call for help, get the person to a cool place. Loosen or remove their clothing to allow the air to hit their skin and apply cool wet cloths to their body. Be sure to remoisten the cloths periodically to assure that they are getting cooled off. You can also spray the person gently with water, but do not soak them. A fine mist and fanning the person will help to cool them off. If the person is conscious, give them small amounts of water or sports drink. Do not allow them to drink a lot at one time because this can make the situation worse. Give them approximately four ounces of liquid every fifteen minutes. Be sure to care for the person until help arrives, doing your best to help them cool off.

When dealing with any heat related emergency, you should allow the person the rest in a position that is comfortable for them. If a person experiences heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they should not resume normal activities that day. If the person refuses to drink, begins to vomit, or has changes in the levels of consciousness, things are getting worse. If you have not already called 9-1-1 or your local emergency response number, do it now. It the person does vomit, stop giving them fluids and have them lay on their side, or place them there yourself. Monitor the person for signs that they are having trouble breathing. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool their body the best that you can until help arrives. If you have ice packs, place them on the person's wrist, ankles, groin, in the armpits, and on the neck to help cool the person quickly. Be sure that you place a towel or cloth between the ice pack and the person's skin. Do not put rubbing alcohol on the person's skin; this can make things worse.

Knowing what to do in case of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke is very important. Knowing what to do and acting in the event of an emergency can make the difference between life and death. If you notice that a person is beginning to show any signs of heat related emergencies, it is best to intervene and help the person. The sooner the signs and symptoms are recognized and treated, the better, and the less likely the emergency is going to worsen.

The information in this article comes from a certified First Aid instructor.