By Kathleen Berger, Executive Producer for Science and Technology

Excessive heat can quickly become dangerous and potentially fatal. Global warming has been making heatwaves hotter, more frequent, and longer-lasting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths resulting from extreme heat in the U.S. have been sharply rising. The CDC recorded about 2,300 heat-related deaths in 2023, up from approximately 1,700 in 2022 and about 1,600 in 2021.

“For severe hyperthermia, the dangers include seizures, brain damage, and even, potentially, death,” said Christopher Sampson, an emergency medicine physician at University of Missouri Health Care.

So, what can you do if you see someone suddenly overcome by the heat? While cold water immersion remains the quickest way to cool someone suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, there are alternatives for people without immediate access to a tub. If you’re at a festival, baseball tournament, or campground, Sampson recommends the TACO method, which stands for Tarp Assisted Cooling with Oscillation.

“The TACO method is crucial for people who may be confused, unresponsive, or have passed out from the heat and will not wake up. These people often need rapid cooling to help save their lives,” said Sampson.

To use the TACO method, roll the patient onto a tarp and pour water and ice on top of them. Volunteers should pick up the four corners of the tarp, forming a ‘taco,’ and bend their knees to keep the cold water moving.

“Most of your heat dissipation occurs on the surface of your skin. By oscillating, or moving the tarp back and forth, and having the cold water come in contact with all portions of their body, you can remove the heat more quickly,” said Sampson.

Bystanders should still call 911, Sampson advises, and use the TACO method as a temporary cooling measure until professional help arrives.