How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke

  • December 3, 2007
  • 7,727 Views
Please install Flash

The body has natural means of regulating its own temperature—but failure to do so in the face of extreme heat is called heatstroke, and it can result in permanent organ damage or even death. Infants, the elderly, and athletes are at highest risk, but anyone is susceptible.

You Will Need

  • An air conditioned or shaded place
  • A phone
  • Cool water
  • A fan or something to fan with
  • Ice packs
  • Towels
  • A sheet (optional) (optional) (optional)
  • A bathtub (optional) (optional) (optional)

Call 911 if a victim is suffering from heat stroke, the symptoms of which may include a body temperature of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, strange or confused behavior, rapid heartbeat and breathing, an absence of sweating, seizures, or coma.

How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke: Cool victim

Step 1: Cool victim

Cooling the heat stroke victim is the first and most important thing you can do. Get him or her out of the heat, either into air conditioning or into a shaded area, immediately.

How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke: Call 911

Step 2: Call 911

If there are bystanders nearby, ask one of them to call 911. If not, call 911 as soon as you can as you proceed with cooling the victim.

How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke: Remove clothing

Step 3: Remove clothing

Remove the victim’s clothing and lay them down or seat them.

How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke: Apply cool water

Step 4: Apply cool water

Apply cool water to the victim’s body or drape him or her with a cool wet sheet.

If you’re near a bathtub, fill it with cool water—but not ice cold, which could send the victim into shock—and sit or lay the victim down in it. Make sure his or her face is clear of the water.

How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke: Fan victim

Step 5: Fan victim

Direct a fan to blow on the victim’s wet skin, or manually fan the victim. This promotes evaporation of the moisture, which helps cool the body.

How To Help Someone Suffering From Heat Stroke: Place ice packs

Step 6: Place ice packs

Place ice packs wrapped in towels in the victim’s armpits and between his or her thighs.

The best way to treat heat stroke is to prevent it: stay hydrated, wear hats and light-colored, loose clothing, and avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea in hot weather.

Something wrong?

Report This How-To

Cancel

Comments (6)

Philos

104 degrees Fahrenheit = 40 degrees Celsius

over 4 years ago by Philos

Reply
KatieL

The patient is a hottie! no wonder he has heat stroke.

over 3 years ago by KatieL

Reply
franchellefanet15

how can i download this video

over 3 years ago by franchellefanet15

Reply
vallabhiparikh

nice one

about 1 year ago by vallabhiparikh

Reply
macdaddydaddymac

of course call 911

9 months ago by macdaddydaddymac

Reply
xide12

Something unexpected surprise-- Hello. My friend === http://www.jordanforworld.com ===== YOU MUST NOT MISS IT!!! thank you!!! == http://www.jordanforworld.com ====

6 months ago by xide12

Reply

or to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends

Video is in Beat the Heat (18 videos)