First Aid - Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

How to treat heat exhaustion

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down:

1. Get the person to lie down in a cool place.
2. Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
3. Get them to drink plenty of water or fluids (not alcohol)
4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good too.

Stay with them until they are better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

Preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke

There is a high risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke during hot weather or exercise.

To help prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

• drink plenty of cold drinks and avoid excess alcohol
• take cool baths or showers
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing
• avoid the sun when it is at its hottest, usually around midday; and
• avoid extreme exercise

Keep an eye on the young, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions (like diabetes or heart problems) because they are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.