As Queenslanders continues to swelter through high temperatures and dry heat, St John Ambulance (Qld) is reminding people of all ages to remain vigilant and aware of the early signs of heat stroke.
St John (Qld) first aid expert Darryl Clare said heat stroke was often shrugged off as a non-serious condition amongst the wider public, but was much more serious.
“Heat stroke is as serious as a bad car accident or a heart attack – it can occur within a few minutes, may lead to a fatality, and needs to be dealt with quickly and promptly,” he warned.
Darryl said all ages were at risk of heat stroke, but young children, the elderly as well as tradespeople and those working outdoors were at a particularly high risk.
“Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include dry skin, confusion, headache, nausea as well as rapid and shallow breathing,” he said.
“Wear a hat, sunscreen and cool, loose fitting clothing at all times – even when it’s cloudy,” he said. “It is also essential to increase fluid intake by drinking plenty of water.”
A casualty of heat stroke will have hot, dry skin which indicates a critical medical emergency.
“After calling triple zero (000) for an ambulance, start to loosen tight fitting clothes and cool the casualty down by dampening their skin with a wet sponge or fanning them.”
Darryl warned against cooling the casualty down too quickly, and said throwing them into an ice bath could cause shock.
“It is essential you act immediately if you, or someone near you, has the symptoms of heat stroke – cooling the casualty down gradually will reduce their risk of further injury,” he said.
“If you begin to feel unwell, dizzy or have a headache, then it is best to stop, rest, hydrate and cool down.”
St John (Qld) offers first aid training across Queensland to deal with medical emergencies such as heat stroke. In a first aid incident, seconds matter – don’t waste another minute. To book a first aid course, or to find out more information, visit www.stjohnqld.com.au or call 1300 360 455.
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Media contact: Angela Madden on (07) 3253 0579.