First Aid & Emergencies

Have you fainted?

Do you continue to have blurred vision, a headache, or vomiting after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?

Do you have a fast heart rate (over 120 beats per minute) or fast breathing (hyperventilation) after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?Note: For more information on how to check your heart rate, see the topic Pulse Measurement.

Do you still feel very tired, lightheaded, dizzy, or weak after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?

Do you continue to sweat profusely or have pale, cool, and moist skin after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?

Do you have abdominal cramps, severe heat cramps, or muscle aches after 1 hour of first aid measures and drinking fluids?

Do you continue to feel weak, thirsty, and have mild heat cramps after using home treatment measures?

Do you continue to feel faint after exercising in a hot environment despite using home treatment measures?

Do you continue to feel nauseated and lightheaded after using home treatment measures?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had a fainting episode that lasted for more than a few seconds, but you are feeling normal now?

Do you feel faint or lightheaded?

Do you feel lightheaded when you change position, such as moving from a lying position to a standing position (orthostatic hypotension)?

Is your skin pale, cool, and moist?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have muscle twitching or muscle spasms?

Do your muscles feel hard, lumpy, or tender?

Are you nauseated, or have you vomited?

Do you feel extremely weak or tired?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Have you had swollen feet and ankles for longer than 24 hours after sitting or standing in a hot environment and you have tried home treatment measures for heat edema?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.