Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Persons most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those outside during hot weather. Particularly prone to heat exhaustion are people who are engaged in outdoor sports during the summer.

Symptoms
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating
• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness, confusion
• Nausea
• Clammy, moist skin
• Pale or flushed complexion
• Muscle cramps
• Slightly elevated body temperature
• Fast and shallow breathing

First Aid Treatment
Treat a person suffering from heat exhaustion with the following:

• Have the person rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area.
• The person should drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
• If possible, have the person take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.

We also offer a free certificate of completion. To receive the certificate you must pass a 50-question test with a score of 70 or higher. Check our Basic First Aid Certificate of Completion page for more information.