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A person with heat illness who is awake should drink cool light salt water or a sports drink in small amounts, often; don't gulp, and avoid alcohol and high-sugar drinks

  • High value
  • Evidence B
  • Buys life
  • Free
  • Takes minutes
  • No willpower

In a real emergency, call 911 first, then read this.

In plain words

Only a person who is awake should drink. Give cool light salt water or a sports drink in small amounts, often, 500 to 1,000 milliliters in an hour. Don't gulp, because vomiting and choking on it going down the windpipe is more dangerous. No alcohol and no high-sugar drinks, which make the body lose more water. First cool the body by wiping with cold water and putting ice packs on the neck, armpits and groin, then replace fluid. If the person is not fully conscious or speech is slurred, don't give even a sip.

Cost

Free. A bottle of sports drink costs a few CNY.

What you get

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published the Guide to Preventing and Emergency Handling of Heat Stroke for the Public (2014 edition) (《公众高温中暑预防与紧急处理指南（2014 版）》). It says "drink at least 2 to 4 cups of cool water (500 to 1000 ml) every hour, the water should not be too hot, and drink in small amounts, often." It also says "do not drink drinks that contain alcohol or a lot of sugar. These drinks make the body lose more fluid. Also avoid drinks that are too cold or frozen." For heat stroke it states clearly "do not give the patient water." The U.S. NIOSH: for heat exhaustion, "encourage frequent small sips of cool water"; for heat cramps, give a sports drink with sugar and electrolytes every 15 to 20 minutes, and "do not use salt tablets"

Notes

After heavy sweating, drinking only plain water dilutes the salt in the blood (low blood sodium), so the water should contain a little salt. Gulping at once easily causes vomiting, and vomit going down the windpipe is faster to kill than the heat illness itself. "Don't drink iced drinks" is advice in the Chinese CDC's 2014 guide, the reason being a fear of stomach spasm, with no quantified evidence. Don't misread it as "you can't use anything cold." §13.22 (in high heat with dizziness or nausea, take off clothing and pour water to cool down) covers several cooling methods: wiping with cold water, cold-water immersion, and ice packs on the neck, armpits and groin. These are the officially recommended first tier of cooling, and they are applied to the body, not poured into the mouth. Cooling always comes before replacing fluid. If the person is not fully conscious or speech is slurred, don't give even a sip

Evidence grade
B : Supported by research but without a precise number, or based on small or single studies.
Sources
  1. 中国疾病预防控制中心职业卫生与中毒控制所 (2014). 公众高温中暑预防与紧急处理指南（2014 版）. https://niohp.chinacdc.cn/sndt/201405/t20140530_97623.htm
  2. US CDC/NIOSH. Heat-Related Illnesses. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 13, tip 23. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer