How to stay safe in hot weather and avoid dehydration and heatstroke, from the experts at St John Ambulance. <\/p>
Long periods of time in the sun can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion if you’re not careful.<\/strong><\/p> Dehydration happens when someone loses more fluid than they take in, especially if it\u2019s really hot outside, so make sure you\u2019re sipping lots of water at regular intervals.<\/p> Here, the experts from the first aid charity St John Ambulance<\/a> explain how to spot and treat dehydration and heat exhaustion – and stay safe in hot weather.<\/p> There are four key things to look for if someone is suffering from dehydration:\u00a0<\/p> 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They may complain of headaches and light headedness.<\/p> 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dry mouth, eyes and lips.<\/p> 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pass only small amounts of dark urine.<\/p> 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Have muscle cramps.<\/p> 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Help them to sit down and give them plenty of water to drink.\u00a0<\/p> 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Giving them an oral rehydration solution<\/a> to drink will help replace salt and other minerals which they\u2019ve lost \u2013 you can buy this in sachets from any pharmacy – and it’s worth keeping some in your first aid kit.\u00a0<\/a><\/p> 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If they have any painful cramps, encourage them to rest, help them stretch and massage their muscles that hurt.<\/p> 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keep checking how they\u2019re feeling \u2013 if they still feel unwell once they\u2019re rehydrated then encourage them to see a healthcare professional straight away.<\/p> If left untreated, someone with dehydration can develop heat exhaustion, which is more serious, so it\u2019s important to make sure they rehydrate themselves as soon as possible.<\/p> Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, usually through excessive sweating. It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren\u2019t used to hot, humid weather. If you\u2019re at an outdoor event and it\u2019s very hot, it\u2019s easy to suffer from heat exhaustion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> There are six key heat exhaustion symptoms to look out for<\/p> \u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Headache.<\/p> 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dizziness.<\/p> 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Loss of appetite and feeling sick.<\/p> 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sweating with pale clammy skin.<\/p> 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach.<\/p> 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fast, weakening pulse and breathing.<\/p> 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Help them to lie down in a cool place and raise their legs.\u00a0<\/p> 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Give them lots of water to drink or isotonic sports drinks.\u00a0<\/p> 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Check their breathing, pulse and responsiveness.\u00a0<\/p> 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Suggest they get medical advice. Call 999\/112 if you are concerned.\u00a0<\/p> As with any medical concerns\/issues, always seek medical advice<\/strong>. <\/p> Hot weather can also impact our animals and pets<\/strong><\/p> St John Ambulance is a charity dedicated to the teaching of first aid. They support the NHS, provide medical support at public events and administer engaging youth programmes throughout England.<\/p>How to spot dehydration \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
How to treat dehydration<\/strong><\/h2>
What causes heat exhaustion?<\/h2>
How to spot heat exhaustion \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
How to treat heat exhaustion<\/strong><\/h2>