Heat Stroke
This page will help you prepare and act correctly to administer first aid for heat stroke.
When DoesHeat StrokeOccur?
Heat stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body temperature rises to 40C or higher, often due to prolonged exposure to high heat or direct sunlight. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if the necessary first aid isn’t administered.
- Heat stroke occurs due to prolonged exposure to high heat, and its risk increases under these conditions:
- High humidity and elevated air temperature.
- Individuals over 75 years old..
- Obesity.
- Working in hot weather conditions.
- Exercising inhot weather..
- Suffering from certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- What Are the Symptomsof Heat Stroke?
- Severe rise in body temperature (above 40 degrees Celsius).
- Rapid heartbeats with a weak pulse.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in awareness and perception, confusion,speech difficulties, and concentration problems.
- Loss of consciousness (fainting)..
- Convulsions.
- Hot and dry skin.
Skin redness.
How Do You Deal with Heat Stroke?
- Take the following steps to treat someone suffering from heat stroke:
- 1. Contact the emergency number of your country for immediate medical attention.
- 2. Move the affected person to a shaded, cool area and remove their outer clothing.
- 3. Ensure the person is cooled quickly using cold water or an ice bath, if possible. Wet their body or apply a cold, damp cloth to their body.
- 4. Place a cold, damp cloth or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin (the area between the abdomen and thigh), or soak the person’s clothes in cold water.
- 5. Ensure air circulation around the person to accelerate cooling.
6. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.
Emergency Numbers in Gulf Countries
– Oman: 9999.
– Saudi Arabia: 997.
– Kuwait: 112.
– Qatar: 999.
– UAE: 998.
– Bahrain: 999.
