[MR] Tips for Preventing Heat Exhaustion

[Sue Wicker]

TIPS FOR PREVENTING HEAT EXHAUSTION

 ·        An average of 318 people die from heat related illness each year.  Many more suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

 ·        It takes 7-14 days for your body to fully acclimatize to increasing temperatures.  

 ·        You should begin drinking fluids at least 30 minutes before beginning outdoor activities. It takes 20-30 minutes for the body to absorb fluids. 

 ·        Sports drinks are best consumed during and after physical activity, not before. They are designed to replace water and nutrients lost during prolonged physical activity.  Choose a sports drink that is 5%-7% glucose. Higher concentrations reduce absorption. Consuming sports drinks or fruit juice before exercise may cause dizziness and fatigue during exercise.

 ·        Water is your best choice of fluids before activities.

 Adults

*Before activity - adults should drink 17-20 ounces of fluid. 

An adult size gulp is equal to one ounce of fluid. 

 *During activity - adults should drink 7-10 ounces every 10-20 minutes. 

 *After activity - adults should drink 24 ounces within the first two hours after activity.

 Children

*Before activity - Children should drink 4-8 ounces of fluid. A child-size gulp is equal to half an ounce of fluid. 

 *During activity - Children should drink 5-9 ounces every 20 minutes. 

 *After activity - Children should drink 24 ounces per pound lost within the first two hours after activity. 


 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STRESS

 HEAT EXHAUSTION



Symptoms:

·        Thirst 

·        Headache 

·        Nausea

·        Dizziness

·        Muscle cramps

·        Weakness

·        Deep redness or paleness of color and excessive sweating 

 

Treatment:

·        Stop activity.

·        Move to shade or cool spot.

·        If an adult fighter (heavy or light), advise them to remove their armour.  

·        Spray with cool water.

·        Place cool (not cold) compresses at the neck and forehead areas.

·        Give the person fluids to drink. 

Give fluids slowly. Have the person rinse their mouth with the water and spit it out for the first two ounces.  Follow with small sips of cool water; not ice water.  The temperature of the water can be steadily decreased but start with cool water.  The idea is to slowly bring the internal body temperature down. 

HEAT STROKE

               Symptoms:

·        Confusion

·        Loss of judgment

·        Loss of consciousness

·        Deep redness of color

·        Hot/dry skin

·        Body temperature above 104 degrees,

·        Seizure

 

Treatment: 

·        Call 911 - This is a medical emergency!

·        Move the person to shade or cool spot

·        Send for a chiergion immediately.

·        If an adult fighter (light or heavy), remove their armour.  DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. 

o       Many fighters will argue. You need to lower the body temperature.  Explain the need pointing out that it is necessary to prevent a serious problem.  Get their Knight or a Marshall if necessary.  Most fighters at the Marshall’s or Knight’s urging will then relent and remove the armour.  

·        Spray the person with cool water 

·        Place cool (not cold) compresses at the neck, forehead, underarms, and groin areas.  Keep rinsing and cooling the clothes.  The chiergion will advise if packing the person in ice prior to transporting them to the hospital is necessary. If so, do not be shy about announcing to the populace that ice is needed.  (Better hot beer and drinks that the alternative.)

·        If conscious, give the person fluids to drink 

o       Give fluids slowly. Have the person rinse their mouth with water and spit it out for the first two ounces.

o       Follow with small sips of cool water; not ice water.  The temperature of the water can be steadily decreased but start with cool water.  The idea is to slowly bring the internal body temperature down not put the person into shock.

 

General Tips for Water bearers:

·        Check in with your best friends at an event, the water bearer in charge, chiergion, and the person in charge of children’s activities if any. Ask about any special instructions for that event.

·        Have at least one drink cooler/dispenser that is reserved for water only and be firm about it. Permanently label the cooler clearly. For individuals which are allergic to Gatorade, artificial sweeteners, or who are diabetic this can be a life saver.

·        Keep old towels and cut them up for cloths for fighters to towel off with. Have a spare milk crate or other container the fighter throws the used cloths into at events.  Bring cloths home and launder with the other event laundry. The fighters will be very grateful.

·        Small children can de-hydrate quickly and the results can be disastrous. 

·        Ask if the event (especially if the event is large and is being held in June, July or August) has water stations for general populace use.  

Very often stations with large water coolers for use by the general public / populace are not set up in Atlantia.  In some dry or particularly hot kingdoms this is a norm. 

While we wish all people planned head, many do not. 

 

If you think the above is too much trouble or isn’t necessary, 

the first time you send someone to the hospital, you will change your mind.  

The first time you provide assistance to a child, you become 

the unreasonable B about it.  The B group heartily welcomes new 

members and converts.  Come be the water bearers table and 

hang with the rest of us.

 

B. Ysar

 

Love, Honor, Trust; All else in life pales

 

Sable, couchant male African lion forepaws crossed, orbs vert.

 		
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