Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency that happens when the body can no longer cool itself fast enough. It can develop during sports, outdoor work, marching band, hiking, or even sitting in a hot, poorly ventilated space. Students should learn the warning signs because heat stroke can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles within minutes.
Fast recognition and quick action can save a life.
Key Facts
- Heat stroke is a medical emergency: call emergency services immediately.
- A core body temperature near or above 40°C or 104°F is a major danger sign.
- Key signs include confusion, fainting, seizures, severe headache, dizziness, hot skin, and rapid pulse.
- Heat stroke can happen with heavy sweating or with dry skin, so do not rely on sweat alone.
- Move the person to shade or air conditioning, remove extra clothing, and start cooling while help is coming.
- Cooling methods include cool water, ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin, fanning, or cold wet towels.
Vocabulary
- Heat stroke
- A severe heat illness in which the body overheats and the brain or other organs may be damaged.
- Core body temperature
- The temperature inside the body, especially around vital organs, rather than the temperature of the skin.
- Thermoregulation
- The body process that controls temperature by sweating, changing blood flow, and adjusting heat loss.
- Dehydration
- A condition in which the body has lost too much water to function normally.
- Emergency response
- The immediate actions taken to protect life and get professional medical help during a dangerous situation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting to see if the person feels better is wrong because heat stroke can worsen quickly and cause organ damage.
- Giving the person only water and sending them back to activity is wrong because heat stroke requires emergency care and active cooling.
- Assuming dry skin must be present is wrong because a person with heat stroke may still be sweating heavily, especially during exercise.
- Putting the person in a car to drive home is wrong because treatment should begin immediately and emergency services should be called.
Practice Questions
- 1 A student runner has a temperature of 40.3°C after practice and is confused. The heat stroke danger level is 40°C. By how many degrees Celsius is the student above the danger level?
- 2 A coach checks on athletes every 15 minutes during a hot practice from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. How many total check-ins occur if the first check is at 2:15 p.m. and the last is at 3:30 p.m.?
- 3 A student is dizzy, confused, flushed, and has a rapid pulse after exercising in high heat, but is still sweating. Explain why this can still be heat stroke and list the first two actions you should take.