In the summer months, we should always be prepared to help administer first aid to individuals that may be experiencing an incident related to heat exposure. Each type of heat related illness has its own first aid treatments.
Heat Stroke
Call 911. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that may result in death!
While waiting for help:
- Place individual in shady, cool area
- Loosen clothing, remove outer clothing
- Fan air on individual; cold packs in armpits
- Wet individual with cool water; apply ice packs, cool compresses, or ice
- Provide fluids (preferably water) as soon as possible
- Stay with individual until help arrives
Heat Exhaustion
- Have individual sit or lie down in a cool, shady area
- Give individual plenty of water or other cool beverages to drink
- Cool individual with cold compresses/ice packs
- Take to emergency room for treatment if symptoms worsen or do not improve in 60 minutes.
- Do not return to work that day
Heat Cramps
- Have individual rest in shady, cool area
- Worker should drink water or other cool beverages
- Wait a few hours before allowing person to return to strenuous work
- Have worker seek medical attention if cramps don’t go away
Heat Rash
- Try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible
- Keep the affected area dry
The Safety Moment bulletin is a periodic communication on safety issues from the G4S Americas Safety Group.
