26 June 2024 , 10:33
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The NHS has warned that people who are unable to cool down from heat exhaustion in 30 minutes should call 999 or risk heat stroke.
Heatstroke which can be associated with a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, confusions, seizures and loss of consciousness is a serious condition that needs to be treated immediately. Heat exhaustion comes first and is the body's 30 minute warning that you need to take action to cool down.
Today the country is under a yellow heat alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency, which is in place until Thursday at 5pm. The warning says there is an increased use of healthcare services by the vulnerable population and increase in risk of death amongst vulnerable individuals and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.
The NHS has issued guidances and warns that "if you or someone close to you experiences the signs of heat exhaustion and are not improving within 30 minutes, you should call 999 immediately".
People are reminded to drink water (Getty Images)The signs of heat exhaustion include:
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- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- feeling sick or being sick
- excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
- cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- fast breathing or heartbeat
- a high temperature
- being very thirsty
- weakness
The symptoms of heat exhaustion are often the same in adults and children, although children may become irritable too.
If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down and given fluids.
Things you can do to cool someone down
If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these steps:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
- Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
- Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.
- Stay with them until they're better.
- They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes
Call 999 if:
- You or someone else have signs of heatstroke, including:
- still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids
- a very high temperature
- hot skin that's not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- a fast heartbeat
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- confusion and lack of coordination
- a seizure or fit
- loss of consciousness