Heat exhaustion and heatstroke first aid, offline on iPhone
Last updated 2 June 2026
Heat illness runs along a scale: heat cramps, then heat exhaustion, then heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. The core response is the same in the field: get the person into shade, cool them down, give fluids if they are fully alert, and watch them closely. On iPhone, Ferdinands Outdoor Companion (FOC) includes a dedicated heat-injury article covering the warning signs and these first-aid steps, stored on the device and free. It is a reference, not a replacement for training or emergency services.
Knowing the difference, and what to do
FOC's heat-injury article separates the kinds of heat illness so you can tell a bad afternoon from an emergency. It covers heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunstroke, with what each looks like. The field response it lays out is a short sequence: move the person into shade and out of the sun, cool them down, give fluids if they are fully conscious, and keep monitoring them. The article flags the danger signs that mean you stop self-treating and get help, and closes with prevention, the part that keeps you out of trouble in the first place.
Why a reference like this works offline
Heat injuries tend to happen on exposed ground, on long climbs, and in summer backcountry, exactly where a phone often shows no bars. FOC keeps its full reference on the device, so the heat-injury article reads the same in airplane mode as at home. It sits alongside the rest of the first-aid section, bleeding, shock, frostbite and cold injuries, bites and stings, and more, and the app is free, with no ads, no in-app purchases, and no tracking. Treat it as something to jog your memory and help you stay calm, not as medical advice. In a real emergency, contact emergency services whenever you can.
How it compares
| What you need | FOC | An online search |
|---|---|---|
| Tells cramps, exhaustion, heatstroke apart | Yes | Maybe |
| The first-aid steps, in order | Yes | Scattered |
| Works with no signal | Yes | No |
| No ads or tracking | Yes | Usually not |
| Costs nothing | Yes | Varies |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?
Heat exhaustion is the body struggling to cope with heat and is serious but recoverable with cooling and rest. Heatstroke is when the body's heat regulation fails, and it is a medical emergency. FOC's heat-injury article separates them, along with heat cramps and sunstroke.
What are the first-aid steps for a heat injury?
Move the person into shade and out of the sun, cool them down, give fluids if they are fully conscious, and keep watching them. FOC lays these out as a short numbered sequence and flags the signs that mean you need help.
Does FOC work without signal?
Yes. FOC keeps its heat-injury article and the rest of its first-aid reference on the device, so it works in airplane mode with no connection.
Can an app treat heatstroke for me?
No. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. An app is a reference to help you recall the steps and stay calm, and FOC says so. Contact emergency services whenever you can.
Is FOC free?
Yes. FOC is free, with no ads, no in-app purchases, and no tracking.
Related
Sources
This is general reference, not medical, safety, or professional advice. Skills like first aid and foraging carry real risk. In a real emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 911 in the US).