What should be the first step when providing first aid to a victim of heat stroke?

The first step when addressing heat stroke is to take immediate action to lower the person's body temperature. Heat stroke is a severe condition that occurs when the body overheats, often due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion in hot conditions. It can lead to organ failure or even death if not treated promptly.

By focusing on reducing the body temperature, you can help prevent further damage and stabilize the victim's condition. This may involve moving the person to a cooler environment, removing excess clothing, using cool compresses, or applying cold water to help cool the body. These actions are crucial since heat stroke can escalate rapidly, and lowering the temperature is vital to preventing serious complications.

While calling for emergency medical help is also essential and should ideally be done soon after the initial response, addressing the immediate physical condition is critical in the early moments of heat stroke treatment. Administering fluids might be necessary but must be done under guidelines, as certain situations could make doing so unsafe. Providing food and water is not appropriate as a first measure in heat stroke, especially if the person is unconscious or disoriented.