Providing expert recommendation and guidance
for the management of exertional heat illness.
Exertional Heat Illness
Exertional heat illness (EHI) can occur during exercise or physical activity when an individual’s heat production exceeds their ability to dissipate heat, leading to an excessive rise in core body temperature.
EHI is a spectrum of conditions ranging from mild to severe. The most severe manifestation of EHI is often referred to as exertional heat stroke (EHS)
Pre-Hospital Care
Within the pre-hospital environment, early recognition and diagnosis of severe EHI is critical as this enables appropriate treatment to be initiated.
Rapid cooling is vital in reducing the risks of subsequent morbidity and mortality.
Consensus Guidelines
The UK Heat Illness Advisory Group (UK-HIAG) was created to meet the need for clear guidelines on the management of EHI in the pre-hospital environment. As cases of EHI continue to increase, there is a growing demand for consensus guidelines to aid the recognition and treatment of EHI.
The UK-HIAG is a multi-disciplinary group with a common goal: improve patient safety and reduce the risk of EHI morbidity and mortality. The group consists of various experts in the field, all of whom have contributed their knowledge and experience to create guidelines for managing EHI in the pre-hospital setting.
