What to Do If Someone Gets Heatstroke

What Should You Do If Someone Gets Heatstroke?

Spending time outdoors in hot weather can be enjoyable, but prolonged heat and strenuous activity can cause serious problems.

Heatstroke happens when the body becomes dangerously hot and can no longer cool itself effectively.

It can develop after heat exhaustion, but it can also happen during strenuous activity in hot conditions.

For Scouts, it is particularly important to recognise the signs because hiking, camping, sports and adventurous activities can all involve significant physical exertion.

The key message is simple:

Cool them down and call 999 or 112.

How Do You Recognise Heatstroke?

Someone with heatstroke may have:

• A very high temperature
• Hot skin
• Rapid breathing
• A fast heartbeat
• Confusion
• Restlessness
• Unusual behaviour
• Poor coordination
• A seizure
• Loss of consciousness

They may have hot, flushed skin and may stop sweating, although you should not rely on the absence of sweating to identify heatstroke. (nhs.uk)

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🚨 HEATSTROKE = EMERGENCY

Don’t treat suspected heatstroke as simply being “too hot”.

Call 999 or 112.

Then start cooling the person as quickly as possible.

1. Make Sure You Are Safe

Before helping, check the surroundings.

If you’re on a hike, campsite or activity area, consider:

Don’t put yourself in danger while trying to help someone.

Once it’s safe to approach, deal with the casualty.

2. Move Them Somewhere Cooler

Move the person into:

Remove unnecessary outer clothing.

The aim is to reduce their exposure to the heat and begin cooling them.

3. Call 999 or 112

Do this immediately if you suspect heatstroke.

Tell the emergency operator:

If you’re on a campsite or in the countryside, give a precise location using a postcode, grid reference, what3words location if your organisation uses it, or obvious landmarks as appropriate.

The emergency operator can tell you what to do while help is on its way.

4. Start Cooling Them

Don’t wait for the ambulance to arrive before cooling the person.

The NHS recommends cooling someone with suspected heatstroke using methods such as:

St John Ambulance also recommends cold packs wrapped appropriately and placed around areas such as the neck and armpits.

The priority is to bring their temperature down as quickly as possible.

💧 COOL THEM DOWN

If you’re outdoors, don’t worry about making them uncomfortable by getting them wet.

Cooling the person is the priority.

Use whatever safe cooling method is available while waiting for emergency help.

5. Keep Monitoring Them

Stay with the person.

Keep checking:

If their condition changes, tell the emergency services.

If they become unresponsive but are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and continue monitoring them.

If they aren’t breathing normally, begin CPR if you’re trained to do so and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

Should You Give Them Water?

This is an important distinction.

Someone with heat exhaustion who is alert and able to drink can be given fluids.

However, suspected heatstroke is a medical emergency, and someone may become confused, have a seizure or lose consciousness.

Do not give an unconscious or confused person something to drink.

If you’re unsure, follow the instructions given by the emergency operator.

Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke?

These conditions can look similar, but heatstroke is much more serious.

Heat exhaustion may include:

Someone with heat exhaustion should be moved somewhere cool, given fluids if they’re able to drink, and cooled down. They should start improving within about 30 minutes.

Heatstroke may include:

Heatstroke requires immediate emergency medical help.

🧠 DON’T WAIT FOR “CLASSIC” SYMPTOMS

Heatstroke doesn’t always present exactly the way people expect.

Confusion or a rapidly deteriorating level of responsiveness in someone who is dangerously hot should be taken seriously.

What Should a Scout Leader Do?

If this happens during a Scout activity, the leader needs to manage both the casualty and the rest of the group.

One adult should deal with the casualty while another responsible person, where available, keeps the rest of the group safe.

Think about:

Who is calling 999?

Who is cooling the casualty?

Who is supervising the other young people?

Who can guide emergency services to the location?

Don’t allow the rest of the group to crowd around the casualty.

Keep the Group Out of the Heat

If the emergency happens during a hike or activity, move the rest of the group somewhere appropriate and shaded if it is safe to do so.

Make sure other young people aren’t also becoming overheated.

Check for signs of heat exhaustion in anyone who has been exercising in the heat.

Remember that children and young people can be particularly vulnerable during hot weather.

What NOT to Do

❌ Don’t tell them to “walk it off”

Stop the activity.

❌ Don’t leave them alone

Stay with them and monitor their condition.

❌ Don’t wait to see if they improve

Suspected heatstroke requires emergency help.

❌ Don’t make them continue exercising

They need cooling and medical assessment.

❌ Don’t give drinks to someone who is confused or unconscious

There is a risk they could choke.

❌ Don’t send them home alone

Heatstroke needs urgent medical attention.

What If They Have a Seizure?

Heatstroke can cause seizures.

Protect them from nearby hazards.

Do not restrain them.

Do not put anything in their mouth.

Keep monitoring their breathing and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

If they become unresponsive but are breathing normally after the seizure, the recovery position may be appropriate.

What If They Become Unconscious?

Call 999 or 112 if this hasn’t already been done.

Check their breathing.

If they are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and continue cooling them while waiting for help.

If they are not breathing normally, start CPR and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

🏕️ OUTDOOR FIRST-AID TIP

In hot weather, your first-aid planning shouldn’t just cover injuries.

Think about:

Water → Shade → Rest → Sun protection → Heat illness → Emergency plan

Knowing where you can get someone out of the sun can make a big difference.

How Can Heatstroke Be Prevented?

Prevention is much easier than treating heatstroke.

During hot-weather activities:

Encourage regular drinking

Make sure everyone has access to suitable fluids.

Use shade

Take breaks out of direct sunlight.

Avoid unnecessary exertion

Modify or postpone strenuous activities during extreme heat.

Wear suitable clothing

Light, loose clothing can help.

Use sun protection

Hats, sunscreen and shade can all help reduce heat exposure.

Watch for early symptoms

Don’t ignore dizziness, headache, nausea, unusual tiredness or excessive thirst.

The NHS recommends taking particular care during hot weather and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day where possible.

Heatstroke During a Hike

Hiking presents a particular challenge because you may be some distance from immediate medical assistance.

If someone starts showing signs of serious heat illness:

Stop the hike.

Don’t make them walk further to reach the destination.

Find a safe, shaded location.

Start cooling them.

Call for appropriate help.

Give emergency services your exact location.

This is another reason leaders should know their route and have a plan for contacting emergency services before setting off.

A Simple Heatstroke Reminder

For Scouts, you could teach:

STOP

Stop the activity.

SHADE

Move to a cooler place.

CALL

Call 999 or 112.

COOL

Cool the person rapidly.

CHECK

Monitor breathing and responsiveness.

WAIT

Stay with them until help arrives.

Heatstroke Is Not Something to “Walk Off”

One of the most dangerous attitudes in outdoor activities is:

“They just need to push through it.”

They don’t.

If someone becomes confused, uncoordinated or seriously unwell in hot conditions, stop the activity.

A Scout activity is never more important than someone’s health.

Final Thoughts

Heatstroke can become life-threatening very quickly.

If you suspect someone has heatstroke:

Call 999 or 112.

Move them somewhere cooler.

Remove unnecessary clothing.

Cool them rapidly.

Stay with them.

Monitor their breathing and responsiveness.

And remember that heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, so early recognition and cooling are important.

🌡️ THE BIG IDEA

Heatstroke is an emergency.

Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Call 999 → Cool them → Stay with them → Monitor them.

🔗 Useful Further Reading

• NHS: Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
• St John Ambulance: Heatstroke first aid
• NHS: Heatwave – how to cope in hot weather