Emergency Management News

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Warning Signs: Heat Stroke #AltusOK #OKwx


Heat stroke infographic
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body's temperature rises rapidly, sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.
    
Do you know the signs of heat stroke? While warning signs may vary, symptoms may include:
  • An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Fahrenheit);
  • Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating);
  • Rapid, strong pulse; and
  • Dizziness. 
According to the CDC, if someone experiences signs of a heat stroke, have someone else call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the person by: 
  • Getting him or her to a shady area; and/or
  • Immersing the person in a tub of cool water, placing him or her in a cool shower, or spraying the person with cool water from a garden hose. 
Be sure to monitor the person’s body temperature, and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit. If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions. Don’t give the victim fluids to drink.

If emergency treatment isn’t provided, heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability. To learn more about this and other heat-related illnesses, visit the CDC website.

For questions about extreme heat safety, check out the CDC’s list of FAQs.

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