The body’s normal core temperature is around 37 degrees. When the body starts to overheat, other mechanisms such as increased circulation to the skin and sweating result as the body attempts to maintain the core temperature. If too much fluid or salt is lost, heat exhaustion will result.
As the weather warms up we need to take extra care of our bodies. Remember to try and consume more fluids (especially water) to replenish those lost due to sweating or increased circulation.
In extreme cases it is possible to suffer from heat exhaustion. Typical signs and symptoms are a weak rapid pulse, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle cramps and thirst. To manage heat exhaustion, lay the casualty down and protect them from the environment, provide sips of cool water and cool the body. Call triple zero.
Heat is not the only element we need to consider. It is possible that someone may suffer from hypothermia, when the body’s core temperature drops below 37 degrees. Water conducts heat away from the body so hypothermia is often associated with aquatic environments. Signs and symptoms are maximum shivering, poor coordination, pale, cool skin and slurred speech. To manage hypothermia, change into dry clothes and protect from the elements, provide warm, sweet drinks (no alcohol or caffeine) and call triple zero if the casualty does not improve rapidly.
To decrease the chance of hypothermia outdoors, encourage swimmers to dry off quickly and make sure they have warm dry clothes to put on as soon as they get out of the water.