Recognizing When Heat Becomes an Emergency

Heat doesn't care how fit you are. Ignore the warning signs long enough, and a routine training session can become a medical emergency.

Heat-related illness can affect anyone.

Athletes, outdoor workers, hikers, children, older adults, and people exercising in hot or humid conditions may be especially vulnerable.

Two important conditions to understand are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

They are not interchangeable.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency.

What Is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body struggles to cope with heat stress, often involving fluid and salt loss.

Possible symptoms include:

• Heavy sweating

• Weakness or fatigue

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Thirst

• Muscle cramps

• Elevated body temperature

Symptoms vary.

A person experiencing heat exhaustion may still be alert and able to communicate.

What Is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails and severe overheating causes neurological dysfunction.

Warning signs may include:

• Confusion or unusual behavior

• Collapse

• Seizures

• Loss of consciousness

• Very high body temperature

• Severe illness after heat exposure

Heat stroke is an emergency. Call emergency services immediately.

A person with heat stroke may still be sweating. Dry skin is not required for the condition to be dangerous.

What to Do for Suspected Heat Exhaustion

Stop the activity.

Move the person to a cooler location.

Loosen unnecessary clothing and begin cooling with cool water, wet cloths, or available airflow.

If the person is fully alert, able to swallow safely, and not vomiting, provide cool fluids.

Seek medical assistance if symptoms worsen, do not improve promptly, or there is uncertainty about the severity.

What to Do for Suspected Heat Stroke

Call emergency services immediately.

Begin rapid cooling while waiting for help.

Move the person away from heat and remove unnecessary outer clothing.

Cold-water immersion, when safe and feasible, is an effective cooling method for exertional heat stroke. Otherwise, apply cold water and use other available active cooling methods.

Follow dispatcher instructions.

Do not give anything by mouth to a confused, unconscious, or otherwise unsafe-to-swallow person.

Prevention Starts Before Training

Heat illness prevention involves more than drinking water.

Consider:

• Weather and humidity

• Training intensity

• Acclimatization to heat

• Rest breaks

• Shade and cooling access

• Appropriate clothing

• Individual health conditions

• Availability of emergency assistance

Do not use toughness as an excuse to ignore symptoms.

Heat and Martial Arts Training

Grappling gyms can become hot, particularly during crowded sessions.

Coaches and training partners should take symptoms seriously.

If someone becomes confused, collapses, or appears severely ill, stop training and activate the emergency plan.

Do not encourage a struggling athlete to finish the round.

The Forward Assist Perspective

Discipline means recognizing when the situation requires a change of plan.

Pushing through a genuine medical emergency isn't resilience.

It's poor judgment.

Train hard. Respect the conditions. Know when to stop.

Be an asset. Not a liability.