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Instructions for helping someone else

Heat with confusion or fainting / heatstroke

Before continuing

In an emergency, contact the official service (141) in your area.

What to do

  1. Heat with confusion, seizure or lost response: call emergency services now. Sweating may continue. Do not wait to measure temperature.
  2. If safe, help them into shade or a cool place. Remove unnecessary outer clothing. Another person can call while you cool them.
  3. Cold-water immersion to neck only if helpers can keep head above water and monitor continuously. Never alone or risking submersion. Unsafe: wet skin and fan without delay.
  4. Cold immersion: up to15minutes or mental state returns to normal, whichever first. Needed CPR: out of water onto back immediately. Even improved, emergency care is still needed.
  5. Wet the skin with cool water and fan. A cool wet sheet can help. Place cloth-wrapped cold packs at the neck and armpits.
  6. If unresponsive: call emergency services. If breathing is abnormal, start CPR with dispatcher guidance.
  7. Unresponsive but breathing normally and no trauma: recovery position. Watch breathing. Start CPR if it becomes abnormal.
  8. Child, baby or frail person: start skin cooling and request emergency advice. Do not immerse if unable to support safely and monitor breathing. Never leave alone in water.

What to avoid

  1. With suspected heatstroke, do not give food or drink. If confused or unable to swallow safely, nothing by mouth.
  2. Do not wait 30 minutes when heatstroke signs are already present. Do not leave the person alone.
Child or baby unresponsive and not breathing normally: child CPRAdult unresponsive and not breathing normally: CPRSeizure occurringUnresponsive, breathing normally and no trauma: recovery position