Heat Stroke
Quick answer
Heat stroke is what happens when the body's cooling system fails and core temperature climbs to dangerous levels. It is a medical emergency. Signs include confusion, loss of coordination, very hot skin, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness. Call emergency services immediately, move the person to a cooler place, and cool them aggressively while help arrives.
What heat stroke is
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness. It occurs when the body can no longer cool itself and core temperature rises rapidly — typically above 40°C / 104°F. At that point, organs begin to be damaged, and without immediate intervention the outcome can be fatal.
Heat stroke can develop from unrecognised heat exhaustion, or it can strike suddenly in a worker exposed to extreme conditions. Either way, the priority is the same: call emergency services, cool the person aggressively, and stay with them until help arrives.
Why every employer must recognise it
Heat stroke is one of the few workplace emergencies where minutes genuinely matter. A supervisor who recognises confusion or loss of coordination for what it is — and who calls the emergency services immediately — dramatically improves the chances of a full recovery.
This is why every workplace with heat-exposed workers should train supervisors and buddies to recognise the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and to default to calling emergency services whenever they aren't sure.
What to do — the first three minutes
Call emergency services immediately. Move the person to the coolest place available. Remove excess clothing. Cool them with any means available: cold water on the skin, ice packs at the neck, armpits and groin, wet towels, fans. Do not give food or drink to anyone who is confused, drowsy or unconscious. Stay with the person until help arrives.
Common mistakes
Waiting to see if it improves
Heat stroke does not improve on its own. Any delay in calling emergency services increases the risk of lasting harm.
Treating it as heat exhaustion
Confusion, loss of coordination or loss of consciousness are red flags for heat stroke, not heat exhaustion. Default to emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
- How is heat stroke different from heat exhaustion?
- Heat exhaustion typically involves heavy sweating, tiredness and clear thinking. Heat stroke involves confusion, loss of coordination, very hot skin (sometimes with no sweating) and can involve loss of consciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
- Can heat stroke happen indoors?
- Yes. Kitchens, laundries, foundries, warehouses and delivery vans can all reach conditions where heat stroke is a real risk, especially during multi-day heatwaves when buildings do not cool overnight.