What should you know about heat stroke introduction?

Heat, exertion, dehydration, humidity or restrictive clothing can prevent the body from releasing enough heat. The brain is often affected first: confusion, slurred speech, unusual behaviour, fainting or seizures may occur. Headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, hot skin and rapid breathing can also develop. Heat exhaustion is a less severe heat illness, but it can progress and should not be ignored.

Call emergency services as soon as heat stroke is suspected. Move the person out of the heat, take off excess clothing, and cool them with wet cloths, water, airflow or cold packs around major blood-vessel areas. Keep checking breathing and place an unconscious breathing person on their side. Never force fluids if the person is confused or cannot swallow safely. Hospital teams may use monitoring and IV Fluid Therapy when clinically needed.

Emergency assessment is required for altered thinking, collapse, seizure, severe weakness or persistent vomiting after heat exposure. Do not rely on a home thermometer or wait for rest to work. A high temperature with confusion is especially concerning; a normal or falling reading after cooling does not cancel the need for medical review.

Ask how to distinguish heat stroke from Heat Exhaustion, which warning symptoms need rapid action, and when activity or work can safely restart after recovery.