What is the best way to treat heat stroke?

Question

We're having a function at my job and there will be 500 old people here. It's supposed to be like 90 degrees and there will be no nurse on duty. What do I do if someone collapses with heat stroke? And calling the paramedics is not an option.

Answer 1

Move the person into a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
Remove the person's unnecessary clothing, and place the person on his or her side to expose as much skin surface to the air as possible. Cool the person's entire body by sponging or spraying cool—not cold—water, and fan the person to lower the body temperature. Apply ice packs to the groin, neck, and armpits, where large blood vessels lie close to the skin surface. Do not immerse the person in an ice bath. If the person is awake and alert enough to swallow, give the person fluids [32 fl oz (1 L) to 64 fl oz (2 L)] within the first 2 hours for hydration. However, a person with heatstroke may have an altered mental status and may not be able to safely drink fluids without help.

Answer 2

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RE:
What is the best way to treat heat stroke?
We're having a function at my job and there will be 500 old people here. It's supposed to be like 90 degrees and there will be no nurse on duty. What do I do if someone collapses with heat stroke? And calling the paramedics is not an option.

Answer 3

That sounds like a VERY dangerous situation. I would set up a couple of those Spray fans if the event is outdoors and server A LOT of water.

The only thing you can do for heatstroke is to lower the bodies core temp. To do this lay the patient down and put ice packs under their armpits and behind their neck. Poor cool water on their face and neck as well.

If they are Truly in Heat stroke you MUST get them immediate medical attention. If it is just Heat Exhaustion (similar but less severe) you may be able to treat it yourself without trained medical help. Heat stroke can Kill very easily if it is not handled correctly.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

I don't understand why calling the paramedics is not an option? Having a function for the elderly can always be problematic because they may have numerous medical conditions.Preventitive measures would include having plenty of water and shady areas is one way to keep people from passing out due to heat exhaustion or exposure to extreme heat. Also, recommending that everyone wear light clothing and have options where you can have some people go indoors to cool off and get out of the sun if needed. Also, looking into how you could offer someone who has medical background to be present or volunteer for your function would be nice. You can always offer some small courtesy for these individuals. You can also recommend that if anyone has problems with being in undue warm weather that they reconsider attending the function.

Answer 5

You must consult a medical professional before trying this following procedure:

* For mild cases of heat exhaustion

o Rest in a cool shaded area.

o Give cool fluids such as sports drinks or Gatorade that will replace the salt that has been lost. Salty snacks are appropriate, as tolerated.

o Loosen or remove clothing.

o Do not use an alcohol rub.

o Do not give any beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
*


* Heat stroke (Do not attempt to treat a case of heat stroke at home, but you can help while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.)

o Move the person to a cooler environment, or place him or her in a cool bath of water (as long as he or she is conscious and can be attended continuously).

o Alternatively, moisten the skin with lukewarm water and use a fan to blow cool air across the skin.

o Give cool beverages by mouth if the person will tolerate it.

When to Seek Medical Care

As with all other medical problems, a doctor should be called if you are not sure what is wrong, if you do not know what to do for the problem, or if the person is not responding to what you are doing for them.

* Call a doctor for heat exhaustion if the person is unable to keep fluids down or if their mental status begins to deteriorate. Symptoms of shortness of breath or chest or abdominal pain may indicate that the heat exhaustion is accompanied by more serious medical problems.

* Suspected heat stroke is a true, life-threatening medical emergency. Call for an ambulance and request information as to what to do until the ambulance arrives.

A person with suspected heat stroke should always go to the hospital (or call for an ambulance) at once.

For heat exhaustion, a person should go to the hospital if any of the following are present:

* Loss of consciousness, confusion, or delirium

* Chest or abdominal pain

* Inability to drink fluids

* Continuous vomiting

* Temperature more than 104°F

* Temperature that is climbing despite attempts to cool the person

* Any person with other serious ongoing medical problems


Jozel Q. Paclibar
Internet Support Specialist
AskMeNow Inc.
Manila, Philippines

Answer 6

Heat illness is generally divided into three classifications. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and the worst being heat stroke. With heat exhaustion the patient usually has profuse sweating, and needs cooling and fluid replacement. They usually make a rapid recovery. I find it hard to believe calling a paramedic is not an option and explaining that might be interesting. Calling a paramedic is ALWAYS an option.

Answer 7

Heat stroke is characterized by a pounding headache, dizziness and fatigue. sweating is usually, but not always, decreased and the skin is hot,flushed and usually dry. It's accompanied by a rapid pulse rate, increased breathing. Watch for disorientation - this usually precedes unconsciousness or convulsions. body temp may rise rapidly. If far from a hospital ,wrap in wet , cold blankets. but has to be brought to a hospital, or very severe complications may occur. The only short term first aid is wrapping the victim in cold,wet clothing or blankets. Better yet, prevention is the key. Make sure plenty of cold drinks are available, and shade fron the sun.

Answer 8

Prevention. Make sure there is a shady place for people to cool off. Make sure everyone stays hydrated so don't run out of drinks. Keep the event short if the people are old. That many old people at a time in any one place is asking for trouble. I wouldn't want to be anywhere that calling the paramedics is not an option and I am not OLD yet, just middle aged.

Answer 9

Keep an icebox with cold compresses and ice water. Cool down the head with a compress if heat stroke strikes a person.

Answer 10

first off set up a place were people can sool down from the sun. secondly have plenty of water and u have to have plenty of water for every body. tell overyone if they are not sweating then they are not drinking enough water and go into the shade and drink. if some one actually is stupid enough not to follow these simple directions then take them inside and cool their body off with cold rags and ice. then call the paramedics because they could die and i think having the paramedics at this function is a little better than a hurse.