1 Make victim comfortable
2Replace lost fluids
Summon help
4 Monitor victim
Heat exhaustion
SUNBURN • HEAT EXHAUSTION
51
Caused by excessive sweating, heat exhaustion occurs when vital salt and water are lost through the skin. People who are unused to hot and humid conditions, and those suffering from any illness that causes diarrhea and vomiting, are often the most susceptible. The aims of first-aid treatment are to cool the victim and to replace lost salts and water. Heat exhaustion can develop into heatstroke.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Feeling dizzy or confused
• Headache and nausea
• Sweating, with pallid, clammy skin
• Arm, leg, or abdominal cramps
• Fast but weak pulse
TREATING HEAT EXHAUSTION
1 Make victim comfortable
• Move the victim to a cool place.
• Lay him down and support his legs in a raised position to improve the blood flow to vital organs.
2Replace lost fluids
• Give him cool, salty drinks. Ideally, offer isotonic drinks or a weak salt and sugar solution( 1 teaspoon of salt and 4 teaspoons of sugar to 1 liter of water).
• Support his head while he is drinking, if necessary.
• If he recovers, ask him to see a doctor.
Give him a cool isotonic drink
3
Summon help
• If the victim becomes weaker or confused, place him in the recovery position( p. 14 for adults and children, p. 15 for babies).
• Dial 911 or call EMS.
4 Monitor victim
• Monitor the victim’ s breathing( p. 68 for an adult, p. 71 for a child or baby), pulse( p. 68 for an adult, p. 70 for a child or baby), and level of consciousness( p. 12) every 10 minutes until help arrives.
! Important
• If the victim loses consciousness, open his airway, check his breathing, and be prepared
to begin resuscitation( pp. 12 – 20).
Raise his legs