Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion is the most common heat illness and is caused by a decrease in blood volume as the result of loss of water and electrolytes through heavy sweating. For the body to cool effectively through sweating there needs to be evaporation. If the sweat does not evaporate, the body keeps producing it, which results in further loss of water.

Heat Cramps First Aid • Place the patient at rest in a cool or shaded area. • Remove excessive clothing and loosen constrictive clothing. • If there is no altered level of consciousness, provide fluids. As much as the patient can drink. • Seek medical care if cramps do not resolve with rest and rehydration. much water as they want. Drinks containing electrolytes and carbohydrates are useful in moderation, but if they are all that is available do not limit them. First aid for heat cramps focuses on providing a restful, cool environment or shade. Give the patient as

patient suffering from heat exhaustion

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