How to treat heat stroke

If this is an emergency, please call 000 immediately.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke is potentially life-threatening and immediate medical aid is needed.

Water levels within the body become so low that the body is unable to continue to produce sweat, which causes a lightning-like increase in body temperature. This has a dramatic effect on vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys, which will begin to shut down.

This guide is regularly updated and aligns with the current edition of Australian First Aid (4th edition, 7/2011)

Signs and Symptoms

 

      • High body temperature of 40°C or more
      • Flushed, dry skin
      • Pounding, rapid pulse that gradually weakens
      • Headache and irritability
      • Nausea, vomiting
      • Visual disturbances
      • Faintness, dizziness, confusion
      • Loss of consciousness
      • Seizures

 

What to do

Follow DRSABCD.

 

 

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

 

Move the patient to a cool place with circulating air.

 

Help the patient to sit or lie down in a comfortable position.

 

Remove almost all the patient’s clothing, and loosen any tight clothing.

 

Apply a cold pack to areas of large blood vessels such as the neck, groin and armpits, to accelerate cooling.

 

If possible, cover the patient with a wet sheet and fan to increase air circulation. Stop cooling when the patient feels cold to touch.

 

If patient is fully conscious and is able to swallow, give them cool water to sip.

 

Resources

Heat stroke fact sheet

DRSABCD poster

Related advice

How to treat heat exhaustion

If a person with heat exhaustion is not managed appropriately, they can develop heat stroke.




Hypothermia

Here’s a quick first aid fact sheet about the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, and what to do if you suspect you or someone else is experiencing hypothermia.




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