1st DRAFT- E LEARNING COURSE FOR STUDENTS

• Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can be avoided by following simple prevention measures.
• Older people, young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes are most at risk.
• During hot weather, drink water, stay cool indoors or in the shade, and restrict activity (especially exercise, renovating and gardening).
• Call Triple Zero (000) if you or someone you are with shows any signs of heatstroke.

People most at risk of heatstroke

Anyone can suffer from heatstroke, but those most at risk are:

• People over 65 years, particularly those living alone or without air conditioning
• Babies and young children
• Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
• People who have existing medical conditions, especially heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes
• People on certain medications that as a side effect impairs their body’s ability to loss heat
• People with illness or infections that causes dehydration or fever
• People with cognitive impairments limiting the ability to identify or communicate their discomfort or need for water
• People with limited mobility
• People who are overweight or obese, or who have low cardiovascular fitness
• People of low socioeconomic status who may be sleeping rough or in poor quality homes without access to, or limited access to, air-conditioning.

Heatstroke can cause organ damage or death

Heatstroke occurs when the core body temperature rises above 40.5 °C and the body’s internal systems start to fail. Normally, sweating helps to maintain a healthy body temperature by increasing heat loss through evaporation.

Many organs in the body can be damaged and death can occur.

Factors that contribute to heatstroke

There are many factors which can contribute to the development of heat stroke and heat-related illnesses, including:

• Dehydration – to keep healthy, our body temperature needs to stay around 37 °C. The body cools itself by sweating, which normally accounts for 70 to 80% of the body’s heat loss. . As a person becomes increasingly dehydrated, they sweat less and it progressively becomes harder to maintain the correct body temperature, especially in the heat.
• Dehydration may happen after strenuous exercise if the fluid lost from sweating is not replaced by drinking (especially in hot weather), severe diarrhoea or vomiting, drinking too much alcohol, taking certain medications (e.g. diuretics) and not drinking enough water.
• Lack of airflow – including working in hot, poorly ventilated or confined areas.
• Hot and crowded conditions – people attending large events (concerts, dance parties or sporting events) in hot or crowded conditions may experience heat stress that can result in heatstroke.
• Sun exposure – especially on hot days, between 11 am and 3 pm.
• Bushfires – exposure to radiant heat from bushfires can cause rapid dehydration and heat-related illness. Bushfires usually occur when the temperature is high, which adds to the risk.

Some drugs, such as ecstasy and speed, also raise the body’s temperature, which can lead to heatstroke.

Symptoms of heatstroke

Heatstroke may appear similar to heat exhaustion, but the skin is dry with no sweating and the person’s mental condition worsens. They may stagger, appear confused, fit, collapse and become unconscious.

Symptoms of heatstroke vary, but may include:

• very high body temperature
• red, hot, dry skin (no sweating)
• dry swollen tongue
• rapid pulse
• headache
• dizziness
• confusion
• nausea, vomiting
• seizure
• loss of consciousness.

Preventing heatstroke

Suggestions for preventing heatstroke include:

• Drink enough water or other cool, non-alcoholic fluids even if you’re not thirsty (check with your doctor if you are on limited fluids or fluid pills). Avoid drinking extremely cold liquids as they can cause stomach cramps.
• Plan ahead. Reduce activity and avoid exercise in hot weather. If activity is unavoidable, try to schedule it for the cooler part of the day and rest often. Whenever possible, stay indoors or in the shade.
• Stay cool and keep air circulating around you. Draw your blinds or curtains and use an electric fan, a misting fan or air conditioning if possible. If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping centre or public library.
• Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salad.
• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton and linen.
• Keep yourself cool by using damp towels containing ice, putting your feet in cold water and taking cool (not cold) showers.
• Check in on older, sick and frail family, friends and neighbours who may need help coping with the heat. Call them at least once a day on any extreme heat day.
• Never leave children, older people or pets in cars.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit outdoor activity to the coolest part of the day.
• Protect yourself from the sun and ‘slip, slop, slap’ when outside by covering exposed skin, using sunscreen and wearing a hat. ‘Seek’ shade and ‘slide’ on some sunglasses.
• Rest regularly in the shade, carry a water bottle and drink fluids frequently.

Managing events or workplaces

If you are organising a large event or sports activity, managing workers in a hot environment or engaged in firefighting:

• Develop and follow a heatstroke prevention plan.
• Don’t rely on fans to cool people, unless there is adequate ventilation.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, how to prevent them and how to respond.
• If drinks are confiscated from patrons at the entrances to large events (for security reasons), ensure there is always plenty of free easily accessible water.
• heatstroke is a medical emergency
  

Every minute’s delay in cooling a person with heatstroke increases the likelihood of permanent injury or death. Seek immediate medical assistance by calling Triple Zero (000) and apply first aid if you, or someone you are with, shows any sign of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

For more first aid information, visit the St John Ambulance Australia website

What to do for heatstroke

If someone you are with develops heatstroke:

• Immediately call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
• While waiting for emergency medical help, get the person to a cool shady area and lay them down.
• Remove excess clothing and wet their skin with water or wrap in wet cloths, fanning continuously. Monitor their body temperature where possible and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops below 38 °C. Recommence cooling efforts if their temperature begins to increase again.
• Give the person cool water to drink if fully conscious and able to swallow. Otherwise, do not give the person fluids to drink.
• Position an unconscious person on their side and ensure they are breathing normally If needed, perform CPR
• Wait for the ambulance to urgently transport the person to hospital, where more intensive cooling and support can be given.
• Seek further instructions from Triple Zero, ambulance or hospital emergency staff, while waiting for the ambulance

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call 112 
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• Your GP (doctor)