Oxygen and Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illness and deaths remain a hot-weather tragedy. The newly-named organization, Oxygen Research Institute (ORI), will begin a data mining task that might prove helpful.

First responders and EMTs are often the initial contact with those suffering from the heat. Do they monitor the blood-oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter? If so, what are those numbers?

Oxygen in liquids is pushed out of saturation by heat. Our bodies are 60% water and if overheated, it’s a fact that oxygen is reduced. The theory that heat-related illness is due more to oxygen deficit than dehydration could be life-saving, if proven to be accurate.