Investigation of a fatal heatstroke

On June 30, 1981, a young, apparently healthy, obese white male suffered a fatal heatstroke. This was the beginning of summer in southern Ohio, when mid-day temperatures can reach into the 30s degrees C (90s degrees F) and the humidity can climb above 70%. The predisposition of the individual in terms of acclimatization, physical size and dietary intake, along with strong motivation to perform well on a job requiring a heavy workload in a hot environment, pushed him beyond his physiologic capacity. Of those people who attended him, only professional rescue personnel recognized the illness and properly treated the man. The death may have prevented by acclimatization and training as to the hazards, recognition and treatment of heat illness.