Beat the Heat: First Aid for Summer Heat-Related Emergencies

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor fun, but rising temperatures (even in the UK!) can pose serious health risks, especially if you’re taking part in strenuous activity. 

Understanding Heat-Related Emergencies

Heat-related emergencies range from mild to severe, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Understanding the differences can help you respond appropriately.

First Aid for Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone after prolonged exposure to high temperatures (not just exposure to the sun) or by over exerting yourself when it’s hot, especially if you’re not adequately hydrated. The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • tiredness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • feeling sick or being sick
  • excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
  • cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
  • fast breathing or heartbeat
  • a high temperature
  • being very thirsty
  • weakness

Immediate Actions to Take

Move the person to a cooler place and remove unnecessary clothing such as jackets or socks. 

If you don’t have immediate access to a cool environment, think about how you can create shade. For example, a survival bag – cut open to create a sheet or a foil or Blizzard Blanket can be held over the casualty to create shade. A mountain shelter can be great for this too. Remember to just hold it above the casualty to protect them from the sun though, rather than putting them into it. In a remote environment these options can increase your visibility from the air too.

Provide cool drinking water or a rehydration drink and cool their skin. You can do this by sponging or spraying them with cool water, or apply cold packs wrapped in a cloth under their armpits or on their neck. 

They should start to feel better within 30 minutes. If they don’t, it may be that they have heat stroke.

First Aid for Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Signs include a high body temperature, hot skin that’s not sweating, a rapid pulse, fast breathing, confusion, a seizure and possible unconsciousness. 

Critical First Aid Steps

  1. Call 999 immediately. 
  2. Move the person to a cool environment if you haven’t already done so and remove any unnecessary clothing as for Heat Exhaustion above. 
  3. Ideally, keep cool water running over them. If available, a bath or shower is ideal as long as the person is responsive. In the outdoors, if you have only limited water available, you could place the person on an opened up survival bag or tarp. Hold up the corners to create a tub, and place water in the tub to move over the casualty’s body to cool them.

Preventative Measures

Staying Hydrated

Drinking plenty of cool water is your first line of defence against heat-related issues and it’s best to avoid excess alcohol.

Dressing Appropriately

Wear light, loose-fitting, and light-coloured clothing. Hats and sunglasses can also provide additional protection.

Timing Outdoor Activities

Plan strenuous activities for the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late afternoon/evening. Take frequent breaks in the shade. You can also slow your activity down, for example a run can become a walk. 

Take it easy if exercising in the heat – wear light coloured clothing, wear a hat, and aim for the cooler parts of the day.

Preparing Your Summer First Aid Kit: Essential Items to Include

Pack instant cold packs, rehydration salts, sun cream and maybe even a sponge, after all they squash down small and don’t weigh much! 

Final Thoughts

Summer should be a time for fun, not emergencies. Stay informed and prepared, so you can enjoy your outdoor activities safely. Remember, the best way to handle a heat-related emergency is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Equip yourself with First Aid knowledge and skills and enjoy the summer.

What next?

Want the knowledge, skills and confidence to look after your loved ones, colleagues or anyone else in an emergency? Join us on one of our Outdoor First Aid courses by contacting us to learn life saving skills that work in remote environments as well as closer to home, in all weathers!