St John WA urges West Aussies to look out for each other as heatwave sweeps State

After a record number of heat-related call-outs last week, St John WA is reminding West Aussies how to best be prepared for the impending heatwave and how to identify signs of heat stress.

Temperatures are expected to peak around 46C this weekend in large parts of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions.

The sweltering temperatures will then head south, hitting 41C in the Perth metro area on Sunday and Monday.

Temperatures in the 40s are expected to hit the South West and Great Southern on Monday before conditions begin to dissipate ahead of Christmas Day.

St John WA paramedic Matt Didcoe urged people to check in on each other as the heatwave sweeps the State.

“We’re coming into a period of high threat and the season forecast is not looking great,” he said.

“The big things for us are we want people to stay safe, we want them to look out for each other.

“A lot of people talk about looking after the vulnerable, the elderly, but young children struggle to regulate their temperature as well. It’s important we look after our young ones.”

Mr Didcoe urged people to stay hydrated and watch for signs of heat stress, which could turn into potentially life-threatening heat stroke.

“Dehydration sneaks up on people — it can escalate quite quickly,” he said.

“Obviously, people will feel hot and, as we as we get hotter, we actually lose the ability to regulate our temperature. The body starts getting overwhelmed.”

More serious signs include sudden collapse, confusion and seizures.

“They’re all signs that we are really escalating, so we want to catch that early,” Mr Didcoe said.

“If anyone collapses we’d encourage people to call triple-0 straight away, because by that point it’s quite serious.”

Another way to help those feeling the heat is to put ice packs under the armpits, in the groin area and around the neck.

Avid hikers should take enough water, a first aid kit and an EPIRB in case they run into trouble.

“We’re always happy to go out and help people, but it’s a lot easier when people are prepared,” Mr Didcoe said.

WA Health says heatwaves had caused more deaths in Australia in the past 200 years than any other natural hazard.

“The problem is when we don’t get the opportunity to cool down at night and we have these consecutive days of warm weather . . . it sneaks up on people,” Mr Didcoe said.

Last week, ambulances attended more than 30 heat-related calls in a 36-hour period.

Mr Didcoe hopes West Aussies heed St John WA’s advice and he and his colleagues are sent to fewer heat-related calls.

“We’re hoping we will see that stabilise as people take on some of those self-care measures,” he said.