Survive the heat

The Heat and children video is also available in the following languages:

Arabic (العَرَبِيَّة), Cantonese (廣東話), Greek (ελληνικά), Italian (Italiano), Mandarin (官話 / 官话), Somali (af Soomaali / اَف صَومالي˜), Turkish (Türkçe), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).

The Heat and the eldery video is also available in the following languages:

Arabic (العَرَبِيَّة), Cantonese (廣東話), Greek (ελληνικά), Italian (Italiano), Mandarin (官話 / 官话), Somali (af Soomaali / اَف صَومالي˜), Turkish (Türkçe), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).

The Heat advice for people with pre-existing medical conditions video is also available in the following languages:

Arabic (العَرَبِيَّة), Cantonese (廣東話), Greek (ελληνικά), Italian (Italiano), Mandarin (官話 / 官话), Somali (af Soomaali / اَف صَومالي˜), Turkish (Türkçe), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).

Symptoms

• Muscle pains
• Spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs

What to do

• Stop activity and sit in a cool place
• Drink cool water
• Rest a few hours before returning to activity
• See a doctor if cramps persist

Symptoms

• Sweating
• Pale complexion
• Rapid pulse
• Muscle cramps, weakness
• Dizziness, headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Fainting

What to do

• Go to a cool area and lie down
• Fan if possible
• Drink cool water if not vomiting
• Remove outer clothing
• Wet skin with cool water or wet cloths
• See a doctor or call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency - call 000

Symptoms

• Very high body temperature
• Red, hot, dry skin (no sweating)
• Dry swollen tongue
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Collapse
• Seizure
• Loss of consciousness

What to do

If someone you are with develops heatstroke:

• Immediately call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
• While waiting for emergency medical help, get the person to a cool shady area and lay them down.
• Remove excess clothing and wet their skin with water or wrap in wet cloths, fanning continuously.
• Give the person cool water to drink if conscious and able to swallow. Otherwise, do not give the person fluids to drink.
• Position an unconscious person on their side and ensure they are breathing normally. If needed, perform CPR
• Monitor their body temperature where possible and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops below 38 °C. Recommence cooling efforts if their temperature begins to rise again.
• Wait for the ambulance to urgently transport the person to hospital, where more intensive cooling and support can be given.
• Seek further instructions from Triple Zero, ambulance or hospital emergency staff, while waiting for the ambulance.