OnSite Classes Your Location
Classes at our Location
Book a Class
Like Us On Facebook

Open Class Policies

We do not issue refunds. If you need to cancel or don’t attend the course, you will forfeit your payment.
To reschedule*, you must email us at, ben@gacpr.com, prior to the start of the CPR class. You may only reschedule once.

LATE POLICY

AHA requires students to attend the entire class and to respect timely students, no late admittance allowed. You must make a request to reschedule in writing. A $25 rescheduling fee applies.* To reschedule see fee details.

Thank you for choosing Georgia CPR for your CPR certification needs!

*Fees apply. – A $25 fee applies if you reschedule within 7 days of the class. – A $10 fee applies if you reschedule at least 7 days before the class.

Latest Post

  • July 18, 2015
  • By cpr_ben

Heat Stroke – Heat Exhaustion Prevention & Treatment

An image portraying a sweating man braving the extreme heat of the desert, against a backdrop of vast sand dunes.

 

Yes, it’s summer in Georgia. I am not sure any of us are surprised at how hot it’s going to be this weekend, or how hot it has been this week, but we are. Every year I never fail to be amazed at the oppressive heat in which we live. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are topics we cover in our CPR Certification classes every day.

There is a difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a warning sign and can be dealt with without EMS, heat stroke will kill you. Every summer we hear news stories of athletes of all ages dying from heat stroke. I will explain what each is, and give you the best ways to avoid and treat them.

Heat exhaustion is where your body is getting overheated and is having a hard time keeping up, with cooling down. Your body is overwhelmed with the heat and wants your attention focused on getting it cooled off.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion are as follows:

  • cool, clammy skin, despite it being 1000 degrees outside
  • headache
  • nausea
  • cramps in the hands or feet
  • feel like junk

If you have heat exhaustion, no need to overreact; but react you should. Immediately focus your energy on cooling off.

Despite myths about how to cool off, here are the best ways to cool off if you are overheated:

  • Drink cool water or a healthy sports drink. Choose one that doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup. Yuck!
  • Remove unnecessary clothing or wet clothing
  • Relocate to a nice, air-conditioned location
  • Put a handful of ice cubes, in a bag, under each armpit. This cools blood in the brachial artery, which will cool your core temperature! It works!

Take these steps when you notice heat exhaustion. This will result in feeling better in about 15-20 minutes. It does NOT mean you can go back out into heat.

Be cautious not to overheat, as heat stroke can be the next dangerous stage. It’s deadly.

When your body overheats dangerously, it’s because its cooling mechanism is malfunctioning. Without basic and professional care, heat stroke can be fatal.

The following symptoms are symptoms of heat stroke and should be taken seriously:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Possible vomiting
  • Feverish to the touch and bone dry – not sweating

If these symptoms are present, call 911 immediately and start an emergency cool down as described above. Better yet, if you can, immerse the patient in cool water up to their neck. A swimming pool or tub is perfect for treating heat stroke.

So, as a summary – if you suspect someone has heat stroke. If they are cool, clammy and still sweating. you can cool them down and give them a few minutes to get better. If the person isn’t sweating and is really hot to the touch, call 911 immediately.

Of course – if you forget what you learned in this article, simply play it safe and call 911. Better save than sorry!