How to Recognise the Signs and What to Do
Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re working outside, attending a sporting event, caring for children, or simply making the most of the sunshine, spending time in the heat can be enjoyable and beneficial. Read on to learn more on how to Prevent Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
However, when temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses. Every year, people across the UK become unwell due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. While many cases are mild, others can quickly become serious if the warning signs are not recognised.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are often confused, but they are very different conditions. Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is struggling to cool itself down. If treated promptly, most people recover fully. Heatstroke, on the other hand, is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Knowing how to recognise the symptoms and provide the correct first aid could prevent someone from becoming critically ill. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, manager, first aider or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, understanding the difference between these conditions could help save a life.
In this guide, we’ll explain the causes, symptoms, first aid treatment, prevention, and when it’s time to call 999.
Understanding How the Body Regulates Temperature
The human body works hard to maintain a core temperature of around 37°C.
When we become hot, several natural cooling mechanisms begin to work:
- Sweating allows heat to escape as moisture evaporates from the skin.
- Blood vessels widen (vasodilation), allowing more blood to flow close to the skin’s surface.
- Breathing may become slightly faster to help release heat.
- We naturally seek shade, remove layers of clothing or drink more fluids.
Normally these systems work extremely well.
Problems arise when the body cannot lose heat as quickly as it is being produced or absorbed.
This can happen because of:
- High outdoor temperatures.
- High humidity.
- Physical exercise.
- Heavy protective clothing or PPE.
- Dehydration.
- Certain medical conditions.
- Some medications.
- Spending prolonged periods in direct sunlight.
Once the body’s cooling system becomes overwhelmed, heat-related illness can develop surprisingly quickly.
What Is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salts through sweating and begins to struggle to regulate its temperature.
It is not normally life-threatening if recognised early and treated promptly.
Think of heat exhaustion as the body’s warning signal.
Without intervention, it can develop into heatstroke, which is a medical emergency.
Common Causes of Heat Exhaustion
Anyone can develop heat exhaustion, but it is more likely when people:
- Work outdoors in hot weather.
- Exercise vigorously.
- Wear heavy uniforms or PPE.
- Spend long periods in direct sunlight.
- Do not drink enough fluids.
- Drink excessive alcohol.
- Are unwell with vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Are not used to exercising in hot conditions.
Even in the UK, temperatures during heatwaves can place significant stress on the body.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Recognising the symptoms early allows treatment to begin before the condition worsens.
Someone with heat exhaustion may experience:
- Heavy sweating.
- Cool, pale or clammy skin.
- Feeling weak or tired.
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Headache.
- Muscle cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Fast pulse.
- Excessive thirst.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling faint.
- Irritability.
Some people describe feeling “washed out” or unusually exhausted.
The important point is that they are usually still alert and able to communicate, although they may feel extremely unwell.
First Aid for Heat Exhaustion
If you suspect someone has heat exhaustion, act quickly.
1. Move Them Somewhere Cool
Help them into:
- Shade.
- An air-conditioned building.
- A cool room.
- A vehicle with air conditioning (if appropriate).
Reducing their exposure to heat is the priority.
2. Encourage Them to Rest
Ask them to stop all physical activity.
Ideally, they should lie down with their legs slightly raised if they feel faint.
3. Remove Excess Clothing
Loosen tight clothing.
Remove jackets, hats or unnecessary layers to help heat escape.
4. Cool the Body
Use whatever cooling methods are available:
- Fan them.
- Spray or sponge their skin with cool water.
- Place cool, damp cloths on the neck, armpits and groin.
- Encourage airflow.
Avoid using ice directly on the skin unless advised by healthcare professionals, as extreme cooling can sometimes cause the blood vessels to constrict and reduce heat loss.
5. Encourage Fluids
If they are fully conscious and not feeling sick enough to choke, encourage them to sip:
- Water.
- Oral rehydration solutions.
- Isotonic sports drinks.
Avoid alcohol, as it contributes to dehydration.
Monitor Their Condition Carefully
Most people begin to improve within around 30 minutes once cooling measures have started.
However, keep monitoring them closely.
If they:
- Become confused.
- Stop sweating.
- Lose consciousness.
- Have a seizure.
- Develop a very high temperature.
- Do not improve after cooling.
Treat the situation as a medical emergency and call 999 immediately.
What Is Heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency.
Unlike heat exhaustion, the body’s cooling system has completely failed.
The body temperature rises rapidly, often above 40°C, causing damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and other vital organs.
Without immediate treatment, heatstroke can be fatal.
This is why recognising the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke is so important.
Signs and Symptoms of Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Unlike heat exhaustion, where the body is still attempting to cool itself, heatstroke occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system has failed. This causes the body’s core temperature to rise to dangerous levels, which can quickly damage vital organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.
Without immediate treatment, heatstroke can lead to permanent disability or even death.
It’s important to recognise the warning signs early and act quickly.
Someone experiencing heatstroke may show one or more of the following symptoms:
- A very high body temperature (usually 40°C or above).
- Hot, flushed skin. Their skin may feel dry, although some people may still be sweating, particularly if heatstroke has developed during strenuous exercise.
- Confusion, disorientation or unusual behaviour.
- Slurred speech.
- Severe headache.
- Dizziness or loss of coordination.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Fast, shallow breathing.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Loss of consciousness or becoming unresponsive.
One of the biggest warning signs is a change in the person’s mental state. If someone becomes confused, agitated, unusually aggressive or difficult to wake, always suspect heatstroke and seek emergency medical help immediately.
Unlike heat exhaustion, people with heatstroke often deteriorate very quickly. Never assume they will recover simply by resting or drinking water.
First Aid for Heatstroke
If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency and requires urgent medical treatment.
While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, you should begin cooling the person as quickly as possible.
1. Call 999
Tell the emergency call handler that you suspect the person has heatstroke and describe their symptoms. Follow any instructions they provide while help is on the way.
2. Move Them to a Cool Place
If it is safe to do so, move the person out of direct sunlight and into a cooler environment, such as:
- An air-conditioned building.
- A shaded area.
- A cool room.
Reducing further heat exposure is essential.
3. Remove Excess Clothing
Take off any unnecessary clothing, hats, jackets or protective equipment to help the body lose heat more effectively.
4. Cool the Person Rapidly
The aim is to lower their body temperature as quickly as possible until the ambulance arrives.
You can do this by:
- Spraying or sponging their skin with cool water.
- Fanning them continuously to increase evaporation.
- Applying cool, wet towels to the neck, armpits and groin, where large blood vessels are close to the skin.
- If available, wrapping them in a cool, damp sheet.
Continue these cooling measures until emergency services take over or the person begins to improve. Our aim is to bring their temperature below 40°C, in the range of 38°C to 39°C. Once this happens, we can slow down cooling rapidly. Be aware that we don’t cool their temperature too rapidly below 37°C.
5. Do Not Force Them to Drink
If the person is confused, drowsy, fitting or unconscious, do not give them food or drink, as they may choke.
If they are fully alert, able to swallow safely and are not feeling sick, small sips of cool water may be appropriate. However, cooling the body and waiting for emergency medical treatment should remain the priority.
6. Monitor Their Condition
Keep a close eye on the person’s:
- Breathing.
- Level of consciousness.
- Responsiveness.
If they become unconscious but are breathing normally, place them into the recovery position if it is safe to do so.
If they stop breathing normally, begin CPR immediately and, if available, ask someone to bring an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Continue following the emergency call handler’s instructions until the ambulance crew arrives.
When Should You Call 999?
You should always call 999 immediately if you suspect heatstroke.
Call for emergency help if someone:
- Has a temperature of around 40°C or above.
- Becomes confused or disorientated.
- Has a seizure.
- Loses consciousness.
- Is difficult to wake.
- Has hot skin and is becoming increasingly unwell after being in the heat.
- Shows signs of heat exhaustion that are getting worse or have not improved after around 30 minutes of cooling and rest.
Remember, it is far better to seek medical advice early than to wait for the condition to become more serious.
Early recognition and prompt first aid can significantly improve the person’s chances of making a full recovery.
Our current first aid courses – How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
Our Emergency and First Aid at Work courses are for those working in an office, factory, warehouse, manufacturing or on a building site. These courses will set you up to know exactly what to do in an emergency. Completing our courses will help you understand the hazards and risks in your workplace to therefore prevent accidents.
Apprentices, staff who are unlikely to be left alone with children, and lunchtime supervisors are all candidates for our Emergency Paediatric First Aid Training. Our one-day course includes roles and responsibilities of a first aider, first aid kits, accident reporting, reasons of a life-threatening condition, CPR, defibrillator, causes of unconsciousness and recovery position, choking, bleeding, burns, and minor injuries.
Our Paediatric First Aid Training 2-day course includes all elements of the one-day first course including; broken bones, spinal injuries, head injuries, slings, sprains and strains, diabetes, febrile convulsions, hypothermia, hyperthermia, epilepsy, poisons, eye injuries, allergies and anaphylaxis, and asthma.
This course is ideal for those working alone with children, whether you are a Teacher or Teaching Assistant working in the Early Years or a childminder. Our Paediatric courses are fully accredited. We have open courses running at our Brownhills Centre or we can come to your setting.
Additionally, if you prefer to have a short session with us and complete a bespoke parents/grandparents course; our Parent’s first aid course is for you. These start from 2 hours up to 4 hours. Can include any modules of your choice, but we will cover: reasons of life-threatening conditions, CPR, Defibrillator, unconsciousness, recovery, choking and gagging, burns, and minor illnesses, including dangers within the home.
Our courses provide you with the peace of mind that you’ll know what to do in the event of an emergency, such as illnesses like asthma. Furthermore, getting first aid training will give you the skill set of knowing exactly what to do if your child, friend, or work colleague suffers from an injury or life-threatening condition. Never put yourself in a situation where you’re thinking, “Because Emergencies Don’t Only Happen at Work” Get First Aid Trained Today!
If you have any questions about this blog, we are happy to help. How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke – if you want to know how, book onto an annual first aid course with us. Here is the link to our upcoming courses. https://www.hmbtrainingservices.co.uk/courses
For further enquiries, please call us on: 01543 453338 or email on info@hmbtrainingservices.co.uk
