How to Treat Heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs when the body is unable to cool itself. Knowing first-aid techniques to treat this dangerous condition could save a life.

Warning
Consult a physician for care and treatment advice if you suspect heatstroke.

Step 1: Know heat stroke symptoms
Know heatstroke symptoms. Look for a headache, dizziness, confusion, exhaustion, seizure, high body temperature, rapid heart beat, dry skin, and hallucinations.

Step 2: Move victim into a cool area
Move a heatstroke victim into a cool, shady area or an air-conditioned building.

Step 3: Remove clothing
Remove the victim's clothing. Apply cool water to their skin or wrap them in damp sheets. Place them in a cool bath if they are conscious and able to cooperate.

Tip
Accelerate body cooling using a fan to blow cool air across the patient's skin.

Step 4: Provide cool drinking water
Provide cool drinking water to increase hydration if the victim is able to accept it.

Tip
Offer sports drinks to replenish both fluids and salt.

Step 5: Continue treatment
Continue treatment until you verify with a thermometer that the person's temperature is 101.3 to 102.2 Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Keep the person in a cool area
Keep the person in a cool area and ask them to lie down with their feet elevated. Bed rest combined with re-hydration will get them on the road to recuperation and recovery.

Did You Know?
Heat waves result in more deaths in the U.S. than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning, and earthquakes combined.

[tylermustardloooser]

I remember when I had a heat stroke in school during an assembly. Luckily the office (and nurses office) was right next to the MP room.

Here's how it felt. My vision got blurry and almost pixelated when I got up and grabbed my chair. I also felt weak and lightheaded. Also luckily; some adults noticed and told me to walk into the office and get admitted. The assembly was ironically about strokes.

[joganaround]

This happened to me recently while mountain biking when it was 90 degrees out. It was not fun. I was alone and it didn’t help that i chose to ride in a desert. I luckily had a water bottle with me and just sat down in the sand and waited it out.

[neoxx]

i had heatstroke today during work. i was out in the sun - i’m 16 so it sucks even more - and i threw up in front of everyone. easily the worst shift ive ever worked

[sugastolethejamslikejungko]

I lost balance and i became dizzy and my vision turned black

[Teresa-nbtx]

Do NOT take a cold bath. Will cause shivering, which increases body temp. Nurse advised cool room instead.

[MechanicalSpencer]

The things you should NEVER DO.
1 don't give a victim a cool bath, it is important to cool the victim gradually and not fast if you cool the victim too fast, the victim will go into shock.
2 don't give the the victim sports drinks, all of that salt and sugar is going to dehydrate your body more, plus sports drinks before going into a scorcher is where you got heat stroke in the first place.

[tractorfarmer]

Yeah if you see a random stranger with tattoos and they look like they are on drugs passed out in the street take them into your house.

[heyboss]

today I almost die heat stroke damn I feel so nostalgic now 😥 I still feel dizzy and sore

[chrishamblett]

You should never take an oral temperature with a heat casualty. You have to go rectal (oral will never get a 100% accurate reading of a persons core temp due to drinking cool water, taking meds, Eating, etc.)

[andreapatane]

I got heatstroke once and it wasn’t pretty. It happened 14 years ago in July after my 👨‍👩‍👧 and I came home from a 💒 for our relatives in Livermore, California.

[TheElectricDreamer]

Let's treat heat stroke... in fucking November.

[notghoskiii__]

I lost balance, my body becAme like 4 millions of heaters, and my vision turned yellow today at school

[IvanGarcia-euun]

I ran cross country today I ran 4 miles today I had ate nothing today just drinking water also I got home and I got in my house and I got the worth headache of my life

[oya_the_goddess]

I had a heat stroke yesterday at work. Putting ice on the back of my necks helps all the time.

[Chapoblends]

Guys im having a heat stroak im hillusinattyd

[leahgracefecteau]

Im sorry Im not doctor or nurse but pretty sure very cold bath is bad idea and will just make it worse just go in cool room and call 911

[giannaramirez]

I had a heat stroke today and puked It was Bad!

[pranaypatel]

I tried to find heatstroke by Montana of 300 but ok

[delilah]

I was cheering and I lost balence frome a heat stroke yesterday

[AfterAllWeAreHuman]

I had a couple episodes the other weak. It was so bad.