What is the primary goal when treating someone experiencing heat exhaustion?

The primary goal when treating someone experiencing heat exhaustion is to lower their body temperature rapidly. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats, typically due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, excessive physical exertion, or dehydration.

Lowering the body temperature helps to prevent the condition from progressing to heat stroke, which is more severe and can lead to serious complications or even death. This can be achieved by moving the person to a cooler environment, loosening or removing excess clothing, applying cool, wet cloths to the skin, or using fans to increase air circulation. Rapid action is crucial as heat exhaustion can quickly worsen if not addressed immediately.

While monitoring symptoms is important, it is not the primary objective. Keeping the person awake may be a consideration in some cases; however, the priority is addressing the immediate physical danger of elevated body temperature. Providing a high-carb snack doesn’t address the urgency of lowering body temperature in heat-related emergencies.