QUESTION: What to do in case of heat stroke?

When faced with heat stroke, it is necessary to act quickly and decisively to prevent severe consequences for the body and a critical rise in body temperature. The first thing to do is immediately move the victim from direct sunlight into a cool, well-ventilated room or at least into deep shade outside.

The next important step is active physical cooling of the victim's body, for which you should unbutton or completely remove restrictive clothing, as well as wrap the person in a damp cloth or sheet. At the same time, you can use a regular or portable fan to enhance the moisture evaporation process and speed up heat dissipation from the skin.

To improve blood flow to vital organs and the brain, it is recommended to slightly raise the victim's legs by placing a bag, a rolled-up piece of clothing, or a folded blanket under them. If the person is fully conscious, does not feel nauseous, and can swallow on their own, they should be given cool water in small portions, avoiding sudden gulping.

It is strictly forbidden to leave the victim unattended, and an ambulance crew should be called immediately if alarming symptoms appear. Such dangerous signs include confusion or loss of consciousness, severe incessant vomiting, delirium, convulsions, and a lack of improvement within half an hour after cooling begins.