Heat exhaustion vs heat stroke + cooling algorithm
Heat-illness severity and cooling algorithm (Bouchama 2002; WMS 2019): core temperature, CNS status, sweating (exertional vs classic subtype), and setting classify heat exhaustion vs heat stroke and select the cooling method.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Core temperature
- 41.2 C
- CNS status
- Mild confusion
- Sweating present
- Yes
- Setting
- Field / pre-hospital
Result: heat stroke (exertional) at 41.2 C per Bouchama 2002: CWI to 38.9 C, cool-first-transport-second per WMS 2019.
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- heat exhaustion
- Core <=40 C and no CNS dysfunction. Rest, rehydrate, passive cooling.
- heat stroke (exertional)
- Sweating preserved. Cold-water immersion to 38.9 C, cool-first-transport-second (WMS 2019).
- heat stroke (classic)
- Anhidrotic. CWI preferred; evaporative + ice packs acceptable.
What you enter
- Core temperature
- CNS status
- Sweating present (exertional; unchecked = anhidrotic / classic)
- Setting
How this is calculated
Bouchama A, Knochel JP. Heat stroke. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(25):1978-1988. Lipman GS, et al. WMS Heat Illness Practice Guideline 2019 Update. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019;30(4S):S33-S46 (CWI to 38.9 C; cool-first-transport-second). Read the sources: Bouchama 2002 (heat stroke) ↗, Lipman 2019 (WMS guideline) ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.