From our next door neighbor state, this is an excellently organized description of what the dangers are from heat, and what to do about heat-related illness:
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND WHAT TO DO
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND WHAT TO DO
- Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs. Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
- Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting. Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
- Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness. Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.
HEAT EXHAUSTION | HEAT STROKE |
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I. Cause. Depletion of body fluids and electrolytes due to exposure to intense heat or the inability to acclimatize to heat, resulting in prolonged or severe diaphoresis.May progress to heat stroke. | I. Cause. Failure of temperature- regulating mechanism of the body due to prolonged exposure to high temperature. |
II. Onset. May develop slowly after exposure to heat for several days and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids and electrolytes. | II. Onset. May develop quickly (within minutes). |
III. Similarities
| III. Similarities
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IV. Differences
| IV. Differences
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V. How to Intervene. Cool fluids, loosen tight clothing, recumbent position, cool shaded environment, elevate legs, transport to medical facility for medical follow up. | V. How to Intervene. Call for transport to medical facility immediately; cool water, sponging, and fluids by mouth if still alert; reduce body temperature to 102 degrees F as rapidly as possible. Transport to medical center for temperature stabilization and prevention/ treatment of complications. |
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