Karachi Heatwave Alert: 11 Ways to Prevent

Heatstroke!

NAME :ABDUL MUTAAL

DI: 2660-2016
BS(ELECTRICAL)
• With the recent heat wave entering Karachi, along
with the shortage of water supply and the increase in
electricity load shedding, Karachiites are witnessing
the hottest summers ever.
• Anybody can suffer from a heat stroke, but the
people most prone to it in this weather are kids,
senior citizens, pregnant women and people with
existing medical conditions.
• A person suffering from a heat stroke should be
rushed to the hospital immediately. In order to
diagnose, here are some of the identifiers displayed
by someone suffering from a heat stroke.
• Symptoms Of A Heatstroke
• Very High Blood pressure
• Red, hot and dry skin (Without sweat)
• A dry and swollen tongue
• Rapid pulse
• A throbbing headache
• Dizziness, confusion, and nausea
• Eventual unconsciousness
• With Army Camps being set up at different locations
to help the citizens of Karachi, here is a list of things
you can do to protect yourself and others from a
heat stroke.
Ways To Prevent Heatstroke
• Make sure you dress yourself and your kids in “minimal, loose-fitting
and lightweight clothing”
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take regular showers more than once a day
• Keep the environment as cool as possible – keep curtains drawn and
minimal light
• Be extra careful while administering any medicines since they may have
certain harmful side effects (including causing dehydration)
• Never stay in a parked car or any confined space without proper
ventilation
• Replace fatty foods with low-fat alternatives
• Keep out of the sun
• Avoid using any heat radiating devices such as hair straighteners
and hair dryers
• Limit your physical exhaustion by limiting physical activity
• Try to stay away from kitchens and laundry rooms.
• However, if someone is already suffering from a
heat stroke, make sure you follow the following
steps while waiting for an ambulance
 Emergency Steps For Heatstroke Patients
• Wet their skin with water or wrap it in wet a cloth after removing as
much clothing from their body as possible or give them an ice bath
• Fan continuously
• Do not give the person fluids to drink
• Position an unconscious person on their side and clear their airway
• Apply ice packs to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck and back (These
areas are rich with blood vessels and close to the skin so cooling them
may reduce body temperature)
• Monitor their body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the
body temperature drops below 38C.
• (Note: poorly ventilated or confined areas, or engaging in vigorous
physical activity in hot weather increases the risk of dehydration and
heat strokes)
• Ensure that you follow all the above-mentioned guidelines and tell
others about it as well in order to protect yourself from the heat this
summers.