Healthy in the Heat: A guide to coping with hot weather and heatwaves
PDF 550 KB
In very hot weather, you can get burnt from contact with the hot ground in seconds. If someone has collapsed outdoors, try to place something between them and the hot ground (like a towel or blanket) to prevent burns, or if safe to do so - move them into the shade or onto the grass.
Early signs of dehydration and heat-related illness include:
If you or someone you know is showing these signs and feeling unwell:
More serious heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Heat exhaustions is a mild to moderate illness caused by water or salt depletion, that results from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise.
The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include (in addition to those above):
What to do if you or someone you know is showing the signs of heat exhaustion:
If symptoms of heat exhaustion last for more than an hour, call 000 immediately for an ambulance or go to a hospital Emergency Department.
Heatstroke is a severe illness where a person’s temperature is greater than 40°C, and the person is experiencing delirium (confusion), convulsions, or coma, resulting from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise.
The signs and symptoms of heatstroke include:
If you notice any of the above signs of heatstroke in yourself or others, call 000 immediately for an ambulance.
Heatstroke is an extreme medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent damage to vital organs or even death.
While waiting for the ambulance to arrive:
If the person is conscious:
If the person is unconscious: