Heat Illness Symptoms & Treatment Infographic
Can you recognize the signs and symptoms of mild to severe heat illness? Use this infographic from Magid to teach your workers how to recognize the symptoms of heat illness and know the right treatments, up to and including heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Read More
HEAT ILLNESS IS ...
LEARN THESE 4 TYPES
1.
HEAT CRAMPS
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Painful, involuntary muscle spasms in the heat
TREATMENTS
- Move to shade/cooler area to rest
- Drink fluids
- Gently stretch and massage the muscle
- Don’t resume activity immediately after the cramps stop
2.
HEAT SYNCOPE/FAINTING
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Decreased/weak pulse
- Pale or sweaty skin
TREATMENTS
- Sit or lie down
- Move to shade/cooler area
- Elevate legs
- Drink fluids
3.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Headache
- Decreased muscle coordination
TREATMENTS
- Move to shade/cooler area
- Remove excess clothing
- Elevate legs
- Drink fluids
- Cool down with compresses like cold towels or sponges to lower body temperature
DID YOU KNOW? HEAT ILLNESS IS NOT A PROGRESSION!
You can have a heat stroke without displaying symptoms of other heat illnesses before it happens.
4.
HEAT STROKE TREATMENT
CALL 911 AND BEGIN TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY!
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: Heat stroke victims may exhibit any of the signs & symptoms below:
Staggering / Physical Collapse
Saturated / Sweating Flushed Skin
Strong & Rapid Pulse
Seizures
Rapid Breathing
Confusion
Irrational Behavior
Unconsciousness
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! YOU HAVE
TO PREVENT LONG-TERM OR PERMANENT INJURY
COOL FIRST, TRANSPORT SECOND!
The victim should only be transported after their core body temperature falls below 102°F
TREATMENT: Call 911 to get EMS on the way. In the meantime, begin cold water immersion treatment immediately
COOL WITH COLD-WATER IMMERSION TUB
- IDEAL METHOD -
Contact Emergency Medical Services*
- Place heat stroke victim in the tub
- Add cold water and ice
- Submerge them to their sternum/chest
- Continuously circulate the water and ice
- Monitor vital signs (heart/breathing rate) and watch for symptoms of hypothermia while you wait for EMTs
COOL WITHOUT COLD-WATER IMMERSION TUB
Tarp Assisted Cooling Oscillation (TACO)
Contact Emergency Medical Services*
- Grab a tarp
- Place heat stroke victim in the center of the tarp
- Lift the sides to make a sling
- Add cold water and ice
- Immerse them to their sternum/chest as well as you can while you wait for EMTs
- Oscillate the tarp so the water is continuously circulating
- Monitor vital signs (heart/breathing rate) and watch for symptoms of hypothermia while you wait for EMTs
*A valid assessment of core temperature to confirm heat stroke should be obtained if medical personnel are on site.
