My hometown is enjoying its first run of 100+ F. days of the Summer. It made me think I should go over the field diagnostics for heat-related physical problems and their appropriate treatment. Let's see: simple overheating, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke ....

Check the straight forward procedures set forth in you current Red Cross First Aid manual.

Keep cool, man.

I always try to get outdoors work accomplished by 9 AM, if at all possible. Prevention is better than cure for all hot weather conditions.

+1 and Hikermor's advice to re-read your manual. Take a refresher if it's stale.

Take care of the first two problems and the second two shouldn't become problems. Keep cool, stay hydrated, and sit down and do both if you start feeling ill. Prevention goes a long way to a cure!

Another tip: dehydration can be mistaken for hunger. Drink LOTS of water!

And sip, don't guzzle.

If someone is suffering heat-related issues, gulping can induce vomiting, which will further dehydrate the person.

This page describes the symptoms and first aid for dehydration and heat stroke:

http://www.umm.edu/non_trauma/dehyrat.htm

A few points the usual manuals don't cover:

Get over yourself. Even if the macho guys you hang with laugh at you wear a long sleeve shirt, a wide brimmed hat, and sunscreen. Do not try to tough it out. Take care of yourself even if those around you don't.

Slow down, pace yourself, take frequent breaks, in the shade if at all possible. Reschedule physical labor to get the jobs done in the morning and evening. Schedule the work so the location is in the shade. Sleep, rest, relax in the heat of the day if possible.

Some people will feel washed out if they sweat a lot, no matter how much water they take in and after they have cooled off, and they need salt. Most people, in most situation, don't need extra salt. But some do. Know yourself.

So, what if anything would you add to your PFAK, BOB, car FAK, etcetera to deal with heat-related health problems?

my GHB is a Blackhawk pack with 2 liter water bladder... a long sleeved nylon caped back flats fishing shirt... GI boonie hat... nylon shorts... bandana... hygroscopic gel neck cooling gizmo...clip on sunglasses...a pair of wool and pair of water wicking poly socks...,several packs of GatorAde mix... vacuum sealed a couple of small packets of the WHO rehydration recipe for worst case

my GHB options equipment includes a golf umbrella

Water, water, and more water. A full rimmed cotton boonie hat that could be saturated with water is great in the heat. A mylar blanket is great when rigged to provide shade for a victim.

Doing SAR in summertime Arizona, our packs were heavier in the summer than in the winter because they were essentially giant water bottles (much heavier than warm clothing).

For Shade;

Swing Liteflex Lightweight Trekking Umbrella UPF 50+

To aid evaporative cooling;

Brunton Solar Panel and or Lithium battery pack + Coolermaster Excalibur fan (modified).

Thick woolen socks and or felt insoles to insulate the feet from ground heat.

Cotton String vest and of course lots of water.

Total weight for the brolly + 6W PV solar panel + fan is around 650gms, all of which can be rigged up using some paracord to the brolly as a sort of lightweight air conditioner when walking along as you constantly sip water. (you may get some strange looks though)

Even here in Scotland the sun may beat down mercilessly and raise temperatures above 80F on the odd occasion during the heat of the summer.