his depends on a number of things
including the length of time the individual is going to be
withstanding the temperature, what they will be wearing and what physical
condition they are in. It also depends on how much humidity is in the air when
the person is subjected to
the extreme temperature. In order to
get a more specific answer to this question, you would also need to highlight
whether you are talking about the internal or external temperature a human body
would be able to withstand. If
you are referring to the
internal temperature of the human body, studies show most bodies can only
survive up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit, or 42 degrees Celcius, as the proteins
inside the body begin to die at around 105F.
In terms of the external temperature that humans can withstand, some fire fighters are able to survive in temperatures of up to 200 degrees C while wearing protective clothing. They are trained and conditioned to be able to tolerate high temperatures, though, and are usually in exceptionally good health and physical shape, so it could be assumed that an average person may not be able to withstand such heat as readily.
When considering endurance, if the body is unable to hydrate or replenish lost fluids, and uses what fluids it does have to sweat to try to cool the body down, it is unlikely the body will be able to survive for very long in extreme temperatures. For example, if a healthy young adult was left outside in temperatures of around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius) without any water, they would not be expected to survive for very long due to dehydration.
Body Temperature's & Effect:
·
40°C (104°F) - Fainting, dehydration,
weakness, vomiting, headache and dizziness may occur as well as profuse
sweating.
·
41°C (105.8°F) - (Medical emergency) - Fainting, vomiting, severe headache, dizziness,
confusion, hallucinations, delirium and drowsiness can occur. There may also be
palpitations and breathlessness.
·
42°C (107.6°F) - Subject may turn pale or
remain flushed and red. They may become comatose, be in severe delirium,
vomiting, and convulsions can occur. Blood pressure may be high or low and heart rate will be very
fast.
·
43°C (109.4°F) - Normally death, or there may
be serious brain damage, continuous convulsions and shock.
Cardio-respiratory collapse will occur.
·
44°C (111.2°F) or more - Almost certainly death
will occur; however, patients have been known to survive up to 46.5°C
(115.7°F).