Medical Experts Advise Cold Water Immersion for Heat Stroke

Why it matters locally: With North Carolina experiencing periods of high temperatures, local emergency services and public health officials, including those within Wake County Fire Services and Charlotte Fire Department, may consider adopting or emphasizing these cold water immersion protocols.

Experts suggest that immersing individuals experiencing heat stroke in cold water can substantially improve their chances of survival. This method also works to decrease the potential for long-term health complications, particularly if applied before an ambulance arrives. Temperatures across parts of the Southern and Western United States have recently risen. As a result, medical and public health officials have issued guidance regarding heat-related illnesses. One image from Redvale, Colorado, captured on July 17, 2026, shows Mark Ragsdale refilling a stock tank. The photograph illustrates efforts to manage conditions during periods of high heat.