If a person suffers from heat-related illness, consider this to be a medical emergency. The human body does not tolerate elevated body temperature well, or extreme elevation at all.Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke.

• Heat exhaustion - illness caused by an elevation of body temperature that does not result in permanent damage.
• Heat stroke - life threatening and can permanently disable the victim.

Treatment for heat-related illness.

1. Remove the victim from obvious sources of heat. Shield the victim from direct sunlight and remove his clothing.
2. Wet down the victim and fan him vigorously. Evaporation is a very efficient method of heat removal.
• Use cool or tepid water.
• If electric fans are available, use them.
• Do not be concerned with shivering, so long as you continue to aggressively cool the victim.
• Do not sponge the victim with alcohol.
3. Place ice packs or cold water bottles in the armpits, behind the neck, and in the groin. If the only method available for cooling is immersion in a cold mountain stream, do it!
4. Recheck the temperature every 5 to 10 minutes, to avoid cooling much below 98.6^o F (37^o C). When you have cooled the victim to 99.5 to 100^o F (37.5 to 37.8^o C), taper the cooling effort. After the victim is cooled, recheck the temperature every 30 minutes for 3 to 4 hours, as there will often be a rebound temperature rise.
5. If the victim is alert, begin to correct dehydration. Try to get 1 to 2 liters into the victim over the first few hours. For every pound of weight loss attributed to sweating, have the victim ingest a pint of fluid.

Emergencies: Allergic Reaction

Emergencies: Dehydration

Emergencies: High Altitude Disorders

Emergencies: Hypothermia

Emergencies: Lightning Strike

Emergencies: Near-Drowning