This is what was put out to us last week. Its a decent general guide.
Healthy Body Temperature is maintained by the nervous system. As the body temperature increases, the body tries to maintain its normal temperature by transferring heat. Sweating and blood flow to the skin helps to keep our bodies cool by evaporation of sweat off the skin. Heat related illness occurs when our bodies can no longer transfer enough heat to keep cool.
Heat Related Illnesses
Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) - sweat ducts in the skin become blocked or swells causing discomfort and itching. Heat Cramps- occur in muscles usually after strenuous exercise because sweating causes the loss of water, salt and minerals (electrolytes). Heat Edema (swelling) generally occurs in hands or legs after sitting or standing in a hot environment. Heat Tetany (hyperventilation or Heat Stress). Heat Syncopy (fainting) occurs from low blood pressure when heat causes blood vessels to expand.
Heatstroke (sunstroke) occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and internal temperature continues to rise, often to 105 degrees or higher. HEATSTROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. EVEN WITH IMMEDIATE TREATMENT, IT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING OR CAUSE SERIOUS LONG TERM PROBLEMS.
Signs of Heat Stroke include; High body temperature, absence of sweating with red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizures and possibly coma.
Victims of Heat Stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT COOL THE VICTIM!!! Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin, and fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION and TREAT FOR SHOCK by laying victim down and elevating the feet. Also monitor breathing and heart rate.
Signs of Dehydration-The signs of dehydration include: Increased thirst, dry mouth, darkening of the urine and/or decrease in urination. If you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated, don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Also dehydration can take place over several days. The combination of physical exertion, diet and fatigue can dehydrate the body over time.
The temperature the body feels when heat and humidity are combined.
Examples: 80f degrees + 80% humidity = 84f heat index (what it feels like to your body)
108f and 45% hum. = 136f heat index
132f and 20% hum. = 155f heat index
Remember humidity plays a large roll in your body’s ability to cool itself. Lower temperature combined with high humidity can be just as dangerous and extreme temperatures.
DRINK WATER, LOTS OF WATER!!! Avoid foods and drinks that flush the body’s natural fluids. Examples; alcohol, caffeine (coffee, soda, energy drinks, etc), cranberry juice, green tea, oats, carrots, tomatoes, and foods high in protein (eggs, bacon, steak, etc.) Alternating water and sports drinks is recommended during extremely harsh times, the ratio should not exceed 2 to 1 (40 ounces of water to 20 ounces of Gatorade)
Heat Stress Training
Healthy Body Temperature is maintained by the nervous system. As the body temperature increases, the body tries to maintain its normal temperature by transferring heat. Sweating and blood flow to the skin helps to keep our bodies cool by evaporation of sweat off the skin. Heat related illness occurs when our bodies can no longer transfer enough heat to keep cool.
Heat Related Illnesses
Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) - sweat ducts in the skin become blocked or swells causing discomfort and itching. Heat Cramps- occur in muscles usually after strenuous exercise because sweating causes the loss of water, salt and minerals (electrolytes). Heat Edema (swelling) generally occurs in hands or legs after sitting or standing in a hot environment. Heat Tetany (hyperventilation or Heat Stress). Heat Syncopy (fainting) occurs from low blood pressure when heat causes blood vessels to expand.
Heatstroke (sunstroke) occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and internal temperature continues to rise, often to 105 degrees or higher. HEATSTROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. EVEN WITH IMMEDIATE TREATMENT, IT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING OR CAUSE SERIOUS LONG TERM PROBLEMS.
Signs of Heat Stroke include; High body temperature, absence of sweating with red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizures and possibly coma.
Treatment
Victims of Heat Stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT COOL THE VICTIM!!! Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin, and fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION and TREAT FOR SHOCK by laying victim down and elevating the feet. Also monitor breathing and heart rate.
Signs of Dehydration-The signs of dehydration include: Increased thirst, dry mouth, darkening of the urine and/or decrease in urination. If you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated, don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Also dehydration can take place over several days. The combination of physical exertion, diet and fatigue can dehydrate the body over time.
Heat Index
The temperature the body feels when heat and humidity are combined.
Examples: 80f degrees + 80% humidity = 84f heat index (what it feels like to your body)
108f and 45% hum. = 136f heat index
132f and 20% hum. = 155f heat index
Remember humidity plays a large roll in your body’s ability to cool itself. Lower temperature combined with high humidity can be just as dangerous and extreme temperatures.
Preparing for Activities During High Heat and/or Humidity
DRINK WATER, LOTS OF WATER!!! Avoid foods and drinks that flush the body’s natural fluids. Examples; alcohol, caffeine (coffee, soda, energy drinks, etc), cranberry juice, green tea, oats, carrots, tomatoes, and foods high in protein (eggs, bacon, steak, etc.) Alternating water and sports drinks is recommended during extremely harsh times, the ratio should not exceed 2 to 1 (40 ounces of water to 20 ounces of Gatorade)
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