Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body because of excessive sweating in hot weather. This is a dangerous condition that demands an immediate response.

Symptoms may include:

- Headache

- Dizziness and confusion

- Loss of appetite

- Nausea

- Sweating with pale skin

- Cramps in the arms, legs and the abdominal wall

- Rapid, weakening pulse

Treatment:

Your aims are to replace any lost body fluids and salt, to cool the body, if necessary, and to obtain medical help.

- Help the person to move to a cool place

- Sponge with water and use fan

- Get him/her to lie down with their legs raised

- Give him/her plenty of water

- Follow if possible with a weak salt solution - one teaspoon of salt per litre of water

- If the person’s responses deteriorate, place him/her into the recovery position and call a doctor immediately

- Monitor and record any vital signs – the level of response, the pulse and breathing rate