For an alert person with heat exhaustion, offer small frequent sips of cool lightly salted water or a sports drink
Only give fluids to someone fully alert. The source suggests small frequent amounts of cool lightly salted water or sports drink, totaling 500–1,000 mL per hour, rather than gulping. Avoid alcohol and very sugary drinks. Prioritize cooling with water and cold packs at the neck, armpits and groin before rehydration. Give nothing by mouth if confused or slurring speech.
What it takes
Little or no additional cost; a sports drink costs a few RMB in China.
What you may gain
China's CDC 2014 public guide recommends 2–4 cups of cool water per hour, 500–1,000 mL, in small frequent amounts, avoiding hot water, alcohol, very sugary drinks and excessively cold frozen drinks. It explicitly says not to give water to heatstroke patients. US NIOSH recommends frequent small sips of cool water for heat exhaustion; for heat cramps it suggests carbohydrate/electrolyte sports drinks every 15–20 minutes and no salt tablets.
Context & considerations
The source warns that excessive plain water after heavy sweating can dilute blood sodium, and that rapid drinking can provoke vomiting and aspiration. The 2014 Chinese advice against icy drinks rests on concern about stomach cramps, without quantified evidence; it does not mean cold external cooling is prohibited. Cooling methods discussed with entry 22 include cool-water washing, cold-water immersion and ice packs at the neck, armpits and groin, applied externally. Cooling takes priority over drinking. Give nothing orally to a confused person or someone with slurred speech.
Research & references
Chinese CDC National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control (2014). Public Guide to Prevention and Emergency Management of Heat Illness, 2014 edition. https://niohp.chinacdc.cn/sndt/201405/t20140530_97623.htm; US CDC/NIOSH. Heat-Related Illnesses. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html