Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke

Heat Exhaustion

  • Core temp < 105°F
  • Irritability
  • Fainting
  • Decreased muscle coordination
  • Dizziness/Light-headedness
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Pale
  • Fatigue
  • Heavy Sweating
  • Weakness
  • Decreased Urine Output/Dehydration
  • Hyperventilation

Heat Stroke

  • Core Temp > 105°F
  • Irritability, irrational behavior, emotional instability
  • Altered consciousness
  • Disoriented/confused
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Looks "out of it"
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle cramps, loss of muscle function/balance, inability to walk
  • Collapse or staggering
  • Feeling sluggish
  • Profuse sweating (or dry skin?)
  • Decreasing performance or weakness
  • Dehydration, dry mouth, thirst
  • Rapid pulse, low blood pressure, quick breathing

Emergency Procedures

Heat Exhaustion

  1. Move the individual to a cool/shaded area and remove excess clothing
  2. Elevate legs to promote venous return
  3. Call for supervisor or send someone to get supervisor
  4. Assist with cooling the individual with fans, rotating ice towels, or ice bags
  5. Provide oral fluids for rehydration

Heat Stroke

  1. Remove excess clothing and equipment
  2. Call supervisor or send someone to get supervisor
  3. Assist in cooling the individual as quickly as possible (whole body ice water immersion is the gold standard). This should be done within 30 minutes. Help by continuously stirring water and adding ice throughout the cooling process.
  4. If immersion is not possible, take individual to shaded, cool area and use rotation cold, wet towels to cover as much of the body surface as possible
  5. Help to maintain airway, breathing and circulation