1. Get Out of the Heat
A healthy body regulates the internal temperature when it is hot by sweating to create evaporation or by changing the rate and extent of blood flow. If the body becomes severely overheated, a condition known as heat stroke or extreme hyperthermia, it is not able to keep up with increases in temperature. The symptoms of heat stroke are slurred speech, hallucinations, seizures and even coma-like states. Heat stroke can be deadly and needs to be treated immediately.
If you are with someone who suffers heat stroke, contact emergency services right away. Before they arrive, you can help by getting the person out of the heat. If the victim has been working hard out in the sun, move him or her inside or into the shade. If the heat stroke was caused by very hot weather conditions, try to get the patient into an air-conditioned building. Then remove the victim's clothing to let cool air get to the skin.
2. Bathe in Cool Water
Once under a physician's care, the patient may be immersed in a cool tub of water to bring down the body temperature. If you are not able to get emergency help, you may try this method. Make sure the water is only cool and not icy. Very cold water might cause the skin's blood vessels to constrict, making it even harder for heat to escape. Be sure to keep the patient's head above water at all times and monitor him or her closely during the bath.
3. Apply Cold Compresses
You can also start to cool someone off by packing their warmest body regions with cold compresses. Apply these to the neck, back, groin and armpit areas. Do not wrap the victim in cold compresses, though, because the towels or wet blankets may start to act as insulation, keeping the heat in instead of drawing it out.
4. Use Fans for Evaporation
Evaporative cooling methods are a very good way to cool down a heat stroke victim. Simply spray cool water over the patient and use a fan to move air over the skin. This will allow heat to escape from the body as the water evaporates.
5. Provide Plenty of Hydrating Liquids
Sometimes heat stroke is caused or exacerbated by a lack of fluid intake. Give the patient plenty of water to drink if he is conscious and able to keep fluids down. Otherwise, emergency personnel can provide fluids through an IV when they arrive.
