Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

First off, Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion; what's the difference? Well, Heat Exhaustion is when someone can't cool there body off, when they are starting to become sick because of too much heat. Heat Stroke is basically the same thing, but much more severe. So severe in fact, that it may kill you. So Heat Exhaustion is just a "little" Heat Stroke. Its just called Heat Exhaustion at stage one and Heat Stroke at stage two which at stage two.

 

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion can effect someone just about anywhere, indoors and outdoors. Believe it or not, a notable amount of elderly people die inside their homes each year because of Heat related problems.

Symptoms: The victims face is cool and pale, with cold sweat on the on the forehead. The victim may also have headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and experience meekness.

First Aid: This should be common sense. When you are hot, what do you do? Most people would, take off a sweatshirt, kick off the shoes, drink some water, or get out of the sun. These are the things you need to do for heat exhaustion. The only problem is that the victim can't think to do it himself, so you have to do it for him. So basically you want to cool the guy off. Giving sips of water, laying him in the shade, and loosing the clothing, will all help to cool off the victim.

Prevention: Staying out of the sun, drinking plenty of water, wearing the right clothing for the occasion and having a buddy around who knows the symptoms for Heat Exhaustion.

 

Heat Stroke

Heat Stroke is just a continuation of Heat Exhaustion. It is caused because of the lack of treatment for Heat Exhaustion. Heat Stroke is the final stage before death, so it is very important to treat, and treat correctly.

Symptoms: The victims face is very red and hot, a strong pulse, and irregular breathing. If the victim is unconscious, you are in trouble, cause he's getting ready to die.

First Aid: Get the victim to a shady cool place, raise his head and shoulders, undress the victim to cool him off. Apply wet towels, buckets of water, ice water anything to cool off the victim. Get the victim to the hospital. At this point, the body is beginning to shut down, so prepare to begin rescue breathing.

Prevention: The same as Heat Exhaustion, keep out of the sun, drink plenty of water, wear the right clothing for the occasion and have a buddy around who knows the symptoms for Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke.