Keep safe in hot summer weather
First aid and health response charity St John Ambulance explains how you can stay safe in hot weather this summer
Knowing how to spot the symptoms and treat common heat-related conditions such as heat exhaustion, sunburn and dehydration can also be vital in helping people look after themselves and others, as well as preventing avoidable trips to hospital.
Long periods in the sun can take its toll after a while and can lead to heat exhaustion, which is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, usually through excessive sweating. It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren’t used to hot, humid weather. If you’re at a festival and it’s very hot, it’s easy to suffer from heat exhaustion.
These are typical symptoms:
- Headache.
- Dizziness and confusion.
- Loss of appetite and feeling sick.
- Sweating with pale clammy skin.
- Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach.
- Fast, weakening pulse and breathing.
Treating heat exhaustion:
- Help them to lie down in a cool place and raise their legs.
- Give them lots of water to drink or isotonic sports drinks.
- Check their breathing, pulse and responsiveness.
- Suggest they get medical advice. Call 999/112 if you are concerned.
Heat stroke is characterised by someone having a very high internal temperature (40c and above) and a decreased level of consciousness. This might mean they are confused, unresponsive or even aggressive. The initial first response for this is known as “S3F”:
- Shade: get them out of the sun or away from the heat source
- Strip: take all extra layers off the person, ideally down to their underwear
- Spray: spray misted water over the patient or pour cool water over them