What should you do if a lifeguard collapses on a hot day and has altered mental status?

When a lifeguard collapses on a hot day with altered mental status, the immediate concern is likely heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This condition can lead to severe complications if not addressed quickly. Aggressively cooling the individual is crucial in this scenario. This includes pouring water on the person, fanning them, and applying ice packs to areas with major blood vessels like the neck, groin, and armpits. The rationale behind this approach is to quickly reduce the body's core temperature, as overheating can lead to significant health complications.

The other options may not appropriately address the critical need for immediate cooling. For instance, assisting with prescribed medication might not be relevant in a heat-related collapse, and applying heat packs would worsen the situation by increasing body temperature. Comforting and calming the individual is important, but without immediate action to cool them down, their condition could deteriorate further. Hence, the most suitable response involves aggressive cooling methods to stabilize the lifeguard's condition.