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Heat illnesses are very easily prevented. To avoid a heat
related illness, always carry and drink enough fluids. This can
not be overstated! In the Arizona desert in summer, if you are
thirsty it is too late. You must keep drinking! Always carry
plenty of water, it's the
one thing you can bring with you that is guaranteed to save your
life. Prescription and other drugs can increase your chances of
a heat illness. If you are on an
amphetamine,
phenothiazine or
anticholinergic you may want to avoid outdoor summer
activities or take extra precautions. Alcohol use dehydrates
you, do not mix alcohol with physical outdoor activities. Wear a
hat that shields your head from the sun and wear light, loose
clothing. Do not remove clothes when you get hot! Your clothes
block the sun from your skin, removing your clothes exposes your
skin to the sun and your body will heat up and dry out faster.
Early symptoms of a heat related illness are:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Profuse sweating
- Thirst
- Weakness
- Light headedness
Later symptoms are:
- Cool, moist skin
- Dilated pupils
- Headache
- Pale skin
- Irrational behavior
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unconsciousness
In most cases, the first problem will be
muscle cramps caused by loss of salt from heavy sweating. This
is the first real sign from your body that something major is
wrong. If untreated, cramps will lead to
heat exhaustion, which is caused by dehydration. If heat
exhaustion goes untreated, you will transition to
heat stroke, which
will cause you to go into shock and can cause brain damage
and/or death.
Heat stroke is when the body can no longer
cool itself, usually you will stop sweating. Once you go
into heat stroke, it only takes minutes before permanent damage
is done to your body and brain.
Symptoms of heat stroke are:
- Dry, hot, red skin
- Fever above 102° (could be 108° or higher )
- Dark urine
- Extreme confusion
- Rapid / shallow breathing
- Rapid / weak pulse
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
Treatment:
- Remove the victim from the heat and elevate their feet.
Removing them from the heat may be difficult, at least get
them in the shade and put something between them and the
ground (if you haven't noticed, the ground gets very hot in
Arizona).
- Apply cool wet clothes, or direct water, to the victims
skin and fan them. If possible, place cold compresses on the
victim's neck, groin and arm pits.
- Stop cooling the victim when their body temperature
drops below 102°, you could cause hypothermia.
- Give the victim beverages (such as Gatorade) to sip
slowly. About a half cup every 15 minutes. If they drink too
fast they will vomit. Water will suffice, but salt water or
a sports drink is better.
- If the victim starts having seizures, protect them from
injury.
- Do not underestimate heat illness, get medical help
ASAP!
DO NOTS!
- DO NOT give the victim
medication
- DO NOT give the victim salt
tablets
- DO NOT give the victim
liquids with alcohol or caffeine
- DO NOT give the victim
anything by mouth if they are unconscious
No one thinks it can happen to them, but it
can. Cory Stringer, all pro tackle for the Minnesota Vikings,
was in a summer work out with the team last year (2001) when he
died of heat stroke. He left the field three times to vomit
before falling unconscious and dying. He ignored all the
symptoms, as did his trainers and coaches.
Be safe, drink lots
of water! |
‘ Heat Illness '
