Heat induced conditions

What to do

Follow DRSABCD St John Action Plan.

Cooling management

• Lie the person in a cool environment or in the shade
• Loosen and remove excessive clothing.
• Send for an ambulance if not improving quickly
  

While waiting for professional assistance for individuals over 5 years of age:

• Immerse (i.e. whole-body from the neck down) in cold water (a bath if possible, as cold as possible) for 15 minutes.

If this is not available, a combination of the following methods should be used:

• Wet the person with cold or cool water, under a shower if safe, or with a hose or other water source
• Apply ice packs (groin, armpits, facial cheeks, palms and soles)
• Repeatedly moisten the skin with a moist cloth or water spray
• Fan continuously
  

While waiting for professional assistance for children 5 years of age and under:

• Cool in a tepid (lukewarm) bath sponging frequently if bath available, or:
• Repeatedly moisten the skin with a moist cloth or atomizer spray
• Fan continuously
  

Hydration Management

• Give cool or cold water to drink if fully conscious and able to swallow. 
  

Caused by

• Excessive heat absorption from a hot environment
• Excessive heat production from metabolic activity
• Failure of the body’s cooling mechanisms
• An alteration in the body’s set temperature

Signs and symptoms

• Inability to continue the activity
• High body temperature
• Dizziness and faintness
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Pale skin and other signs of shock
• Dry skin
• Poor muscle control or weakness
• Decreasing levels of consciousness, confusion or seizures.