Heat-related first aid?

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.

My kit includes water, water and more water, A bandana to soak, a blanket or tarp to make shade, light-weight long sleeves and pants, wool socks and a full cover hat (i.e. tilly style)

Prevention beats treatment, as everyone above has mentioned.

As Art said, forget the macho crap. Someone has to be conscious enough to call for help!

Know the symptoms, and watch out for them in yourself and others.

Keep more water with you than you think you'll need -- you might need to pour it over your head and keep bandanas and towels wet.

Don't forget about water toxemia (aka Hyponatremia), too much plain water at once. Carry some electrolyte/salt mixes (like dry GatorAde) or the premixed kind. You may want to dilute it a bit.

You can also make a kid-palatable electrolyte replacement drink at home (from baby parenting site

* 2 quarts water
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)
* 1/2 teaspoon regular salt
* 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid

Refrigerate and use within 4 days if you have to store it.

Sue

A lot depends on the particulars of the weather, humidity and wind make a big difference, if air movement is low and humidity is high water may not evaporate rapidly enough to provide any cooling.
Wetting your clothing can work well in Arizona where humidity is typically low. Do the same thing in humid Florida and you will likely regret it.

If you don't know which way to go wet a bandana or small cloth and drape it over you. If it is col and stays cool evaporation is working for you. If it clings so you are now both hot and wet it is likely better to save the water for drinking.

Anybody carry a spray bottle to aid evaporative cooling?

I've had one of those Misty mates for about 10yrs now,& It's still working,they hold about 2Pts of water,you pump it up,clip on the hose to your collar/hat/or just point it wherever you desire,at friends,etc.,It put's out a steady cool fog,especially with an Icecube or 2 inside,well worth the $12 I paid so long ago!Tarpet,wallyworld still sell them!YMMV-Especially if you reside East of the Rockies & North of Parkfield!

for 3 gun matches in July - Sept, I throw two of the hygroscopic gel neck wraps in the cooler... I can wear one while the other is absorbing water...helps bring the core temp down...this time of the year proper clothing aids evaporative cooling with the physical uptake of water..I gave up on cotton 10 years ago... the synthetic wicking fibers work exceptionally well in our heat and humidity... match Sunday was 94F with a 105 heat index...long sleeved (Dupont Supplex feels like cotton) nylon open cape backed flats fishing shirts....nylon heavy duty shorts....Dorfman Pacific open weave crown, wide brimmed hat, poly wicking socks...BullFrog high SPF lotion....drink alternating Gatoraid and water... monitor urine output for color ....wear a 2L CamelBak when working as range officer