It begins with a headache. Then came the dizziness. Nausea, confusion, or skin that is suddenly hot and dry. Most people don’t realize that once they know it’s more than “just being overheated,” heat stroke has already set in.
And there’s the issue: Heat stroke is quick and deadly. More than 700 people die each year from heat-related causes in the US alone, and worldwide the numbers are rising as heatwaves become longer and more intense.
The good news is that a heat stroke can be prevented and is treatable if caught early. The bad news is that most of us don't have a clue what to do in those critical first 15 minutes.
Op-Eds aren’t usually a first-aid manual, but this one can try to be. Because when the heat is on, knowing what to do can be the difference between a bad day and a funeral.
Heat stroke is not the same as “severe heat exhaustion.” At a core temperature of over 104°F / 40°C proteins denature, organs swell, and the brain cannot self-regulate. Sweating usually stops at this point. Confusion occurs and the person may become unconscious.
The people most at risk are outdoor workers and athletes, children left outside, and older adults, especially those living alone without air conditioning. But nobody is safe. A 25-year-old in good health running a marathon in this weather can die as fast as an 80-year-old in a non-ventilated apartment.
The 15-minute rule
If you think of a heat stroke, think minutes not hours. The aim is to get your core body temperature down below 102°F as quickly as you can. With each passing minute, the risk of brain damage, organ failure, and potential death rises.
So this is what you do:
- Immediately call for help. Dial emergency services. Don’t “tough it out” or wait for it to get better.
- Remove the person from the heat. Shade, inside, air conditioning. Whatever is fastest. If you can’t move them, shade them with an umbrella, a sheet, or even your body.
- Begin cooling now, do not wait for the ambulance. This is where most back down. No fancy equipment required. Take off all unnecessary and excess clothes. Use cool water on the skin and fan vigorously. Evaporation is your friend. If you have ice packs, put them on the neck, armpits and groin, areas with large blood vessels close to the skin. A wet sheet and a fan will also help. Give small sips of water if the person is alert and able to swallow.
- Keep monitoring and cooling until help arrives. Check for responsiveness. Keep on fanning. Keep skin moist. Don't give up because they look better.
Why prevention is gaining importance
Rescuing someone from a heat stroke can be messy, stressful, and often traumatic. The rules are simple: Hydrate before you get thirsty, avoid the hottest part of the day between 11 am and 4 pm if possible, wear loose, and light-coloured clothing.
For communities, the fixes are structural. Urban heat islands are deadly. Cities need more tree canopy and reflective roofing. Heat is a public health problem, not just a weather problem.
When it’s really hot, the best thing you can do is stop, drink water and cool off. And if you see someone stumbling, slurring words or acting confused on a hot day, don’t wait for them to ask for help.
Heat waves don’t make the news like hurricanes do. But there is a similarity: Adaptation is not an option when the environment turns hostile to human existence.
Learn the signs. And don’t forget the 15-minute rule. In a world growing hotter, knowing how to cool someone down may be the most important thing to learn.
Dr Anwar Hossain Chowdhury is an Assistant Professor at BIGM. He can be reached at: anwar.hossain@bigm.edu.bd.