Signs & Symptoms

• Heat Exhaustion: Tiredness, weakness, headache, faint irritability, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness, inability to continue with same work rate, slightly elevated pulse, often cool and clammy skin.

• Heat Stroke: Headache, irritability, drowsiness, emotional changes, rapid weak pulse, confusion progressing to coma, elevated temperature, skin feels hot and may be moist or dry with reduced elasticity, thirst, infrequent urine that is strong smelling and dark.

Treatment

• Shade and ventilation. 

• Remove excess clothing.

• Insulate from hot ground.

• Raise legs.

• Protect airway if vomiting.

• Cool by fanning and spraying with water.

• Ice packs/cold compress to core.

• Apply cool wet cloths.

• Rehydrate – 1 part water with ½ teaspoon of salt per litre or expedition rehydration pack. Casualty MUST take small sips to avoid over hydration.