Heat Stroke and Unconsciousness: Emergency Steps

Unconsciousness means the brain is not responding normally. In a hot environment, it can result from severe heat illness, dehydration, low blood pressure, seizure, or another urgent problem. Heat stroke may also cause confusion before a person collapses. Do not assume the person is simply sleeping or has fainted harmlessly, particularly if their skin is hot or they were exercising.

Call emergency services and describe the heat exposure and loss of consciousness. Check breathing. If the person is breathing normally, place them on their side in a cool area, remove excess clothing, wet the skin, and use fans or airflow. If they are not breathing normally, follow the dispatcher’s resuscitation instructions. Never give an unconscious person water, food, or medicine, and do not leave them unattended.

Unconsciousness itself is an emergency; do not wait for the person to wake or for a temperature reading. Tell responders about vomiting, seizure-like movements, medicines, medical conditions, and how long the person was exposed to heat. After recovery, medical review is still needed because complications may not be obvious at first.

Ask what monitoring was needed, whether kidney, muscle, or blood tests were performed, how to manage fluids, and when normal activity is safe again.