First Aid - Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke

• Heat Cramps
  Heat cramps are pretty innocent they occur as brief but severe cramps in the leg, arm or abdomen muscles. They are painful but not too serious. Cool down by resting out of the sun and drinking cold beverages.


• Heat Exhaustion
  If the heat continues to build up inside the body a person can suffer from heat exhaustion. Symptoms include dehydration, fatigue, weakness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and hyperventilation. Heat Exhaustion can get very serious. Get away from the heat as soon as possible. Drink cool beverages. If seriously overheated, remove all clothes and bathe in cool, not cold, water. Visit a doctor for serious cases.


• Heat Stroke
  If the situation becomes worse, a person might suffer from heat stroke. The body is no longer able to control the body's temperature and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels (42 degrees and up). Signs of a heat stroke are: hot and dry skin, severe headaches, dizziness, weakness, disorientation, fatigue, seizure, loss of consciousness. It is essential to get the body temperature down as quickly as possible to avoid brain damage or even death. Take of all the victim's clothes and if possible submerge the victim in cool water or cover the victim with ice bags. Keep the victim moist and if enough water is not available, use a blower or any other method of cooling down the victim.