In summer, excessively high ambient temperature and high air humidity hinder the dissipation of residual body heat. Accumulated heat disrupts the thermoregulatory center and triggers heatstroke. Immediate first aid shall be administered once a heatstroke patient is identified:
After heatstroke occurs, move the patient away from the high-temperature environment to a cool, well-ventilated area without delay. Unfasten clothing buttons and lay the patient flat. Cover the patient’s head with cold wet towels, create airflow with fans, and offer cool beverages. Mild cases may take heat-relief medicines or receive acupuncture treatment. Cooling measures shall be implemented for mild heatstroke patients, including cold water, ice water or medicinal cooling based on on-site conditions.
Replenish water and minerals. Patients capable of drinking shall be given cool salted boiled water or other cool saline drinks. Intravenous normal saline shall be administered for patients unable to take oral fluids. Excessive fluid infusion is unnecessary unless the patient suffers peripheral circulatory failure or severe vomiting and diarrhea, as over-infusion may induce heart failure or pulmonary edema.
Respiratory and cardiac stimulants may be administered as appropriate for patients with respiratory and circulatory failure. Oxygen inhalation shall be provided for dyspneic patients, and artificial respiration shall be performed when necessary. Critically ill patients or those showing no improvement after standard first aid shall be transferred to qualified hospitals immediately while continuous rescue treatment is carried out.
Key Steps of Heatstroke First Aid
Relocate: Rapidly transfer the patient to a cool and ventilated spot. Elevate the head, unbutton clothes and trousers to facilitate breathing and heat dissipation.
Cool compress: Cover the patient’s head with cold wet towels, or place ice packs or ice cubes on the head, armpits and groin.
Accelerate heat loss: Immerse the patient in water of 4°C and massage the skin of limbs to dilate cutaneous blood vessels, speed up blood circulation and boost heat dissipation.
Wipe body: Four rescuers simultaneously wipe all body surfaces of the submerged patient until the skin turns reddish. The wiping process generally lasts 15 to 30 minutes to lower body temperature to 37°C–38°C. Most patients without severe brain injury will regain consciousness rapidly.