In a heat stroke situation, which method is least effective for cooling the body?

Drinking cool fluids is the least effective method for cooling the body in a heat stroke situation because it primarily aids in hydration rather than providing immediate cooling to the body’s core temperature. While hydration is essential in treating heat-related illnesses, it does not significantly reduce the body temperature quickly enough during a heat stroke, which can be a critical situation.

In contrast, immersing in cold water is widely recognized as one of the most effective methods for rapidly cooling the body, as it directly contacts a large surface area with cold water. Using fans can help evaporate sweat and cool the body through convection, and applying ice packs to areas such as the armpits, groin, and neck also aids in lowering temperature due to localized cooling. All these methods are more effective than merely drinking cool fluids in acutely reducing elevated body temperatures.