1. Heat-Illness Awareness Project
Types of Heat-Illnesses:
• Heat Cramps
• Heat Syncope
• Heat Exhaustion
• Exertional Heat Stroke
• Exertional
Hyponatremia
Populations affected by Heat-
related illness:
• Children
• Elderly
• Mentally Unstable/ill
• Those who are physically ill
especially with those who have
heart disease or high blood
pressure
• Disabled
• Athletes wearing heavy
clothing
• Athletic events taking place in
extreme hot/humid weather
Action Plan Example:
• Football player during summer practice
• Collapses due to the heat
• Move to a shady area or cool place
• Remove excess clothing/fan skin
• Offer fluids if alert and able to ingest
them
• If symptoms do not improve, call 911
• Stay with athlete till EMS arrive on
scene
• Notify the parents or primary care giver
as soon as possible
General Prevention Tips:
• Drink plenty of water during any indoor or
outdoor activity
• Wear loose fitting, lightweight, light color
clothing during activity in the heat
• Take rest periods in shady or cool areas
• Increase time spent outdoors gradually to
get adolescent’s body used to the heat
• Having a proper warm-up and cool-down
on hot days
1. Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web Site.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp. Last Reviewed June 1, 2012. Updated August 15, 2006. Accessed November 17, 2014.
2. Grogan H, Hopkins PM. Heat Stroke: Implications for Critical Care and Anaesthesia. Brit J Ana. 2002; 88: 700-7.
3. Binkley HM, Beckett J, Casa DJ, Kleiner DM, & Plummer PE. National Athletic Trainers’ Association position statement: Exertional heat illnesses. J Athl
Train. 2002;37(3):329-343.
Some of these more series
heat illnesses can be fatal
unless diagnosed and
treated properly!
Stay hydrated!