2 women in their 80s overheat, become unresponsive in hot tub at remote cabin
FILE - This picture taken on May 6, 2010 shows the jacuzzi. (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Two women are recovering at the hospital after becoming unresponsive while in a hot tub last week.
What happened?
The backstory:
On Friday, August 22, Wolfe County Search and Rescue in Kentucky, responded to a call at a remote cabin.
After relaxing in a hot tub for an undisclosed amount of time, a group of women in their 80s were getting ready to get out of the tub, but two of them had become unresponsive.
One of the women called 911 while the others held up the heads of the two unresponsive women to prevent them from drowning.
Caretakers of the cabin, as well as the Wolfe County Sheriff’s Office and the rescue team arrived at the cabin and both women were removed from the hot tub.
One was partially responsive while the other was completely unresponsive and in critical condition, according to a Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team news release.
It was determined the pair had suffered from hyperthermia and were given ice and cold compresses. Both women also had preexisting conditions but those were not made public.
After about 20-30 minutes of treatment, both patients began to recover and were transported to a local hospital.
Cautionary tale
Officials shared the story hoping to educate the public about using a hot tub responsibly.
What they're saying:
"Hot tubs offer a fantastic way to relax but always remember to limit soak times. The recommended maximum immersion time is between 15-30 minutes. Ensure you are capable of exiting the hot tub once you enter, especially if you have any sort of disability. Hyperthermia and Heatstroke can be fatal, and this story could have ended much differently without the quick thinking of all those involved with this rescue," according to a news release.
What is hyperthermia?
Dig deeper:
Hyperthermia is a heat-related illness which can include heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Hyperthermia happens when your body is unable to regulate heat and becomes overwhelmed.
This can happen when it’s hot or humid outside or your body’s own metabolic heat becomes unmanageable.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from a Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team news release published on August 22, 2025. Information from the Cleveland Clinic also contributed.