Heat stroke is a result of a core temperature of 40°C or more. The person will present with an altered level of consciousness with organ dysfunction taking place internally.
There are two types of heat stroke:
- Non-extertional heat stroke caused by high temperatures and high humidity.
- Exertional heat stroke caused by heat production such as an arborist with a high work rate, wearing protecitve clothing
Signs and symptoms can include:
- Core body temperature of 40°C or more
- Hot dry skin (although sweating is present in around half of all cases)
- Extreme fatigue, headache, fainting, facial flushing, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Irregular heart beats and drop in blood pressure
- Respiratory distress
- Liver and kidney failure.
High Peak First Aid Emergency First Aid at Work +F
