Vienna ambulance service reports 10% rise in heatwave callouts

Vienna’s professional ambulance service is handling about 10 percent more callouts during the current heatwave, ORF reported. The main problem is the lack of cooling at night, said Mario Krammel, chief physician of the Vienna ambulance service.

The most common cases involve heat collapse, exhaustion and dehydration. The service normally responds to between 900 and 1,000 emergencies in 24 hours, but is currently attending around 10 percent more, Krammel said in an interview with ORF’s Wien heute programme.

Hot nights place an additional strain on the body because it cannot recover properly. This particularly affects vulnerable groups, including children and older people, especially those with pre-existing conditions.

Krammel advised people to stay in the shade during extreme temperatures and move physical work, exertion and sport to the cooler parts of the day. He also recommended avoiding direct sunlight in the early morning and late evening, wearing a hat outdoors and drinking enough fluids.

Ambulances have been equipped for the heat-related callouts. Their medication compartments are being used to store cold infusions for people affected by the heat, while the patient compartments are air-conditioned. Additional vehicles and paramedics are also on duty.