St John Ambulance

Please note:
Any deviation from the slides contained in
the original presentation are not sanctioned
by St John Ambulance.

Individuals will be held personally liable for

any information on additional slides added
to this presentation.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion
By the end of this session you will be able to:
• recognise when someone has heat exhaustion
• respond appropriately to someone who has
heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion
this is caused by the loss of salt and water
through excessive sweating.

It usually develops gradually and affects those

who aren’t accustomed to hot humid
climates.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion can also be triggered by:
• High external temperatures – non-exertional
heat exhaustion

• Excessive physical activity – exertional heat

exhaustion

• Non-prescription drugs – e.g. ecstasy

Heat exhaustion
Non-prescription drugs such as ecstasy can
cause heat exhaustion as this drug affects
the way the body regulates its body
temperature.
And if mixed with dancing in a hot room, this
can cause dehydration and then heat
exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion
What you may see:
• Sweating
• Headache
• Feeling sick
• Dizziness
Heat exhaustion
If this is untreated it may lead to other serious
conditions:
• Heatstroke (hyperthermia)
• death
Heat exhaustion
What you should do:
• Help the casualty to a cool place
• Lay the casualty down and raise their legs
• Give the casualty an isotonic rehydration drink.

• Watch this video for a demonstration

Heat exhaustion
What you should do:
• If they recover quickly advise them to seek
medical help
• If the casualty’s condition worsens, monitor
and record their vital signs and call for an
ambulance.
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke (Hyperthermia):
• Heat stroke is when the body’s thermostat in
the brain fails.
• The body becomes dangerously overheated
due to a high fever or exposure to high heat.
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke:
• Heatstroke follows heat exhaustion as the
body can no longer cool when all the sweat
has evaporated.
• Heat stoke can develop verry quickly and
with little warning.
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke:
• The fastest way to cool someone down is to
immerse them in cool water.
But as they may be agitated or uncooperative
or worse unresponsive this is not always the
safest practice.
Heat exhaustion
Class discussion:
• If the casualty is not able to be immersed in
a cold bath, what could you do at home?

• If you are on a training exercise, what could

you do?
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke: treatment
• Cold bath.
• Sit them in a shower.
• Wet cloth draped over them, and constant
cold water poured on them.
• Fan the casualty.
• Sponge them with cold water