- get them to sit either in the closest shade or building
- give them a cool damp towel to drape over themselves
- if they are severely dehydrated, they can’t sweat like they need to. Pour water on them, cool but not cold as you don’t want to shock their system.
- any kind of non-carbonated sports drink that has electrolytes. Gatorade is a good one. Severe dehydration cannot be fixed with just water, as it does not have all the sugars and electrolytes your body needs to recover. If you give a severely dehydrated/suffering from heatstroke person just water, you’re only going to make them piss out even more things they need to recover.
- if they seem like they’re on the verge of passing out, call 911 while you’re doing the above steps. Your care as a lay-man first responder can be crucial to their survival and recovery, but if the situation is bad enough, the patient WILL need additional care and resources.
- during any kind of assistance, be sure to check for medical jewelry, as the situation could be either un-related to the heat, or merely exacerbated by it. Check the wrists, ankles, and chest for any jewelry that may indicate if the victim has conditions that may alter what you can do for them. A person with diabetes, for instance, might be passed out due to their sugar intake, or depending on the kind of diabetes, may not be able to drink the Gatorade. In the event you call 911, be sure to tell the person on the other end about any kind of medical jewelry you find. It will help them dispatch the appropriate care.
- remember to stay calm throughout. If the victim is still conscious, and can tell you are panicking, they are more likely to panic as well, which may cause their condition to worsen. Even if you think they are unresponsive, be sure to talk them through what you are doing in a gentle, calm voice. Those who are unconscious can often still hear things, so hearing a calm voice can greatly help.
- before providing ANY care, you must assess the situation and make sure the surrounding area is safe for both you and the victim, and any others who may come along to help. This means if the victim was mowing the lawn, you must turn off the lawn mower. If it is on/near a road/parking lot, you must ask assistance from others in halting/redirecting traffic so you can safely move the person to a new area, or if unable to move, provide care right there. You must also make sure the victim is not just asleep - pat them on the shoulders and speak loudly and clearly, asking if they are alright. Do this about 3 times to be sure before continuing with care.
~ courtesy of the first aid/first responders class I took
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