Move out of the heat
Help the person into shade or air conditioning and stop exertion.
Loosen unnecessary clothing and cool the skin with water, damp cloths, a fan or cold packs where available.
A fully awake person with milder symptoms may sip water. Do not give anything by mouth to someone who is confused, vomiting repeatedly or not fully awake.
Call 998 for danger signs
Call immediately for confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, collapse, severe deterioration or suspected heatstroke.
Begin cooling while help is on the way and follow the call handler’s instructions.
Do not use aspirin or paracetamol to treat heatstroke; they do not correct dangerous overheating.
Reduce future risk
Plan strenuous outdoor activity away from the hottest hours and take regular cooling breaks.
Drink water regularly and pay extra attention to infants, older adults, outdoor workers and people with chronic conditions.
Never leave a person or animal in a parked vehicle, even for a short time.
What to do while help is coming
For suspected heatstroke, call 998 before trying to manage the situation alone. Start cooling while help is on the way and follow the call handler. In extreme heat, do not rely on a fan alone; use water, wet cloths or other available cooling measures.
Keep monitoring how awake the person is and whether they are breathing normally. Do not give drinks to someone who is confused, unconscious, repeatedly vomiting or unable to swallow safely.
Tell responders when symptoms started, what cooling you have tried and whether the person has become more or less responsive. Do not stop monitoring simply because the person briefly seems better.
A practical Dubai heat plan
Before outdoor work or travel, identify a nearby air-conditioned place and a way to stop activity quickly. Heat exposure can continue in a parked vehicle or an unventilated room, not only in direct sunlight.
Check in on infants, older people, people living alone and those with heart, lung or kidney conditions during very hot periods. A person who becomes dizzy, weak or unusually unwell should move to a cool place and be monitored rather than pushing through the activity.
If milder symptoms persist after rest and cooling, or you are worried about a vulnerable person, seek medical assessment. If confusion, collapse, seizures or marked deterioration appears, call 998 immediately.