Tips to Prevent Heatstroke

Key Takeaways on Heatstroke & Heatwave Safety

• Heatwaves cause more deaths in Australia than bushfires, cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters combined.

• Vulnerable groups—including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses—face higher heatstroke risk.

• Heatstroke is a medical emergency that occurs when body temperature exceeds 40 °C, damaging vital organs and potentially causing death.

• Common heatstroke symptoms include hot dry skin, rapid pulse, confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.

• Heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, dehydration, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion can escalate to heatstroke if untreated.

• First aid for heatstroke: Call 000, move to a cooler place, remove excess clothing, apply cold packs, sponge with cool water, and monitor breathing.

• Heat exhaustion vs. heatstroke: Heat exhaustion involves heavy sweating and a body temp over 37 °C; heatstroke involves failure to sweat and extreme body heat.

• Prevention tips: Stay hydrated, wear light clothing, avoid strenuous activity in peak heat, and check on at-risk individuals.

• Never leave children, elderly people, or pets in parked cars, even for a short time, during hot weather.

• Learning first aid for heat-related emergencies through CPR First Aid courses can save lives during extreme summer heatwaves.

Heat waves can increase the number of fatalities and emergency hospital admissions, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly, small children, and those with chronic illnesses. More people can perish in extreme summer heatwaves than in all bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and thunderstorms. They can cause heat exhaustion and even heatstroke, a severe sickness brought on by excessive heat that, if untreated, can be deadly to many. 

According to a study, Brisbane has increased emergency hospital admissions and mortality data during extreme summer heatwaves. 

When extreme summer heat waves occur, it is best to be aware of the steps you would take to prevent heatstroke and be familiar with first aid techniques when this happens to you, a family member, or someone at risk. 

What is Heatstroke? 

Heat stroke is a severe heat-related illness. It is a medical emergency as it may lead to unconsciousness and death. All the body organs may be affected. It generally occurs when the body temperature has reached 40 degrees or above.

Causes of Heatstroke

Heatstroke is caused by prolonged exposure to heat. It can occur indoors or outdoors, including while exercising. 

You are more likely than others to get heatstroke if you are:

• Over 75 or very young
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Overweight
• Working or exercising in hot conditions
• Affected by chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes
• Taking certain medications
  
  

Warning Signs of Heatstroke

Here are the warning signs of heatstroke that must be put to attention to prevent severe complications and save someone from the risk of fatality.

• Sudden rise in body temperature
• Hot and dry and possibly red skin, possibly with no sweat
• Rapid pulse
• Dry, swollen tongue
• Intense thirst
• Fast, shallow breathing
• Headache, nausea, or vomiting
• Dizziness, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness
• Trouble speaking, slurred speech
• Problems concentrating or coordinating movements
• Call 000 and ask for an ambulance

Prevention of Heat Stroke 

Heat-related illnesses can be prevented. Being prepared for extreme heat is essential, especially if you have existing medical conditions. 

List of Heat-related Illnesses

1. Heat Rash

   Small red bumps or clusters of blisters that resemble pimples are typically found on the neck and upper chest.

2. Dehydration

   Dehydration occurs when the body does not contain enough water or loses more electrolytes and fluids than it can manufacture. It is a frequent consequence of conditions brought on by heat, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

3. Heat Cramps

   Heat cramps are one of the first signs of heat illness and can signify heat exhaustion.

4. Heat Exhaustion

   Heat exhaustion is likely when a person’s body temperature rises above 37° C—the body’s average operating temperature is 36°–37° C. Without prompt treatment, this can lead to heatstroke.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the possible signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Low blood pressure upon standing
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Headache

How to Treat Heat-Related Illness?

1. Stay hydrated
2. Stay out of the heat as much as possible
3. Keep your space cool with circulating air
4. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and protect yourself from sun damage
5. Rest often and save strenuous activities for the more excellent parts of the day
6. Monitor for signs of heat-related illness and act promptly
7. Check on others, especially those older, sick, or frail.
8. Babies and young children are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat, as they can’t adapt quickly to changing temperatures. Take extra steps to care for young children during hot weather, and never leave anyone (including pets) unattended in a car.

What is the Difference between Heat exhaustion and Heat Stroke?

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive water and salt, typically from sweating due to extreme heat or summer heatwaves. It is a likely event when a person’s body temperature rises above 37° C — the body’s average operating temperature is 36°–37° C. When Heat exhaustion is not managed correctly, this will lead to heatstroke.

Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency in which the body cannot control its internal temperature. The lethal hazard of heat stroke occurs when the body temperature exceeds 40 °C.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of these two conditions could save your life or that of a loved one.

First Aid for Heatstroke

Heat stroke occurs generally when the body temperature has reached 40 degrees or above. In this situation, it is necessary to perform first aid quickly to prevent complications of other body organs, which may lead to unconsciousness and death. The aim of administering first aid treatment is to rapidly cool down core body temperature while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

1. Follow DRS ABCD
2. Call 000 – Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If someone has heatstroke, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance
3. Remove from the heat source – remove the casualty from exposure to extreme heat to a shadier and more relaxed place
4. Follow the steps for Lowering Body Temperature:
   – Removing excess clothing
   – Sponging or spraying them with water and fanning the damp skin
   – Immersing them in cool water
   – Placing cold packs under their armpits or groin or on the back of their neck
5. If unconscious, place them in the recovery position – for unconscious casualties, put them on their side with their mouth down (to drain any fluid) and the chin up to prevent possible suffocation.
   If conscious, give the person sips of cool fluid if possible.
6. Do not give someone with heatstroke aspirin or paracetamol; this may worsen things.

 Complications of Heatstroke

 Heatstroke can result in several complications, depending on how long the body temperature is high. Severe complications include:

Vital Organ Damage

Without a quick response to lower body temperature, heatstroke can cause your brain or other vital organs to swell, possibly resulting in permanent damage.

 Death

 Without prompt and adequate treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.

First Aid Tips for Heat Exhaustion:

1. Stay hydrated
2. Stay out of the heat as much as possible
3. Keep your space cool with circulating air
4. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and protect yourself from sun damage
5. Rest often and save strenuous activities for the more excellent parts of the day
6. Monitor for signs of heat-related illness and act promptly
7. Check on others, especially those older, sick, or frail.
8. Babies and young children are more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat, as they can’t adapt quickly to changing temperatures. Take extra steps to care for young children during hot weather, and never leave anyone (including pets) unattended in a car.

If heat exhaustion is not managed well, this may lead to heatstroke. Remember the first aid tips for heatstroke.

Tips To Prevent Heat Stroke:

1. Follow DRS ABCD
2. Call 000 – Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If someone has heatstroke, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance
3. Remove from the heat source – remove the casualty from exposure to extreme heat to a shadier and more relaxed place
4. Follow the steps for Lowering Body Temperature:
   – Removing excess clothing
   – Sponging or spraying them with water and fanning the damp skin
   – Immersing them in cool water
   -Placing cold packs under their armpits or groin or on the back of their neck
5. If unconscious, place them in the recovery position – for unconscious casualties, put them on their side with their mouth down (to drain any fluid) and the chin up to prevent possible suffocation.
   If conscious, give the person sips of cool fluid if possible.
6. Do not give someone with heatstroke aspirin or paracetamol; this may worsen things. For more information on how to handle and prevent heat stroke, consider taking first aid training.

Conclusion

Early prevention and detection of early signs of heat-related illness caused by heat waves can reduce health risks and even prevent death.

To give correct assistance to the patient, you must never forget that there is a difference in signs and symptoms and first aid management between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Learning the basics of first aid treatment for heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses is vital and could save lives. Understanding first aid practices is beneficial, and introductory taking a first aid course is a great way to learn these. These courses are available at the CPR First Aid Training Center in Brisbane. Several of these courses include childcare first aid courses and advance first aid courses among others. 

What are you waiting for? You may contact us on this website or visit us at CPR First Aid Training Center in Brisbane. We hope to see you there.

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