How to Help a Heat Stroke Victim

Look for heat exposure or strenuous activity followed by hot skin, marked weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech, unusual behaviour, fainting, or seizure. Heat exhaustion can cause sweating and fatigue, but a change in alertness or coordination is a danger sign. You do not need to identify the exact diagnosis before calling for help.

Call emergency services, then move the victim out of the heat. Remove unnecessary clothing and cool the body with wet cloths, cool water, a fan, or air conditioning. Keep checking breathing and responsiveness. If vomiting or drowsiness is present, turn the person onto their side; give nothing by mouth unless they are fully alert and can swallow safely. Stay with them until responders take over.

Call immediately for confusion, collapse, seizure, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or inability to drink. Do not transport an unconscious person alone or delay help while searching for a thermometer. A fever may have a different cause, but heat exposure with altered awareness requires urgent assessment.

Ask which symptoms should be watched at home, how to replace fluids, when the person can return to work or exercise, and how to prevent another heat illness episode.