COMIC: How excessive heat kills and how to stay safe

Article excerpt

When temperatures soar and humidity climbs, the human body's built-in cooling system, sweating and blood vessel dilation, can fail catastrophically, leading to heatstroke and death. NPR's visual explainer breaks down the physiological cascade: as core temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the body's thermoregulation collapses, organs begin to shut down, and without rapid intervention, fatal damage occurs within minutes. The piece walks through warning signs, confusion, lack of sweating despite heat, loss of consciousness, and practical survival tactics: staying hydrated, seeking air conditioning, and recognizing when someone needs emergency care. It's a primer on why heat waves kill faster and more silently than most disasters.