How to Protect Yourself Against Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body overheats, usually when being exposed to extreme high temperatures. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can be fatal. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include flushed skin, excessive sweating, headache, nausea, fatigue, weakness, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, dizziness and low grade fever. When heat exhaustion occurs, immediate treatment is needed. Of course, prevention of heat exhaustion altogether is the best option.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Know your risks. While anyone can become a victim of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, some people have other factors that place them at a higher risk than others. These people include young children under the age of four, the elderly, people with lung problems such as asthma, the overweight and people on certain medications. Check with your doctor to see if the medications you are taking can increase your risk of heat related illness.

2. Hydrate yourself prior to going outside. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty or warm. Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty to hydrate your body ahead of time. Continue to drink water and sports drinks to replenish your body once you are out in the heat.

3. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol can impair judgment and increase symptoms. Both alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body so it is best to avoid these products

4. Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing that allows the body to breathe and deflects the heat from the sun.

5. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must work outdoors, rest frequently, preferably in a shaded area. Take along a cooler with cold water to drink and a spray bottle for spraying yourself with water. Apply a cool wet cloth to the neck and forehead.

6. Stay out from under the sun. Retreat to the shade. If there are no shady areas where you have to be, bring an umbrella to shade yourself from the sun.

7. Cool down the car. The temperature inside of a car will be significantly higher than the outside temperature and getting into the car under these conditions is dangerous. Prior to getting inside, take a few minutes to run the air conditioning and cool down the car.

8. Stay indoors. If you are in the midst of a heat wave and you don’t have to, don’t go outside. Stay home in an air conditioned room. If you have no air conditioning, stay at the air conditioned home of a relative or friend during the hours when the heat is most extreme. Check if your community has a cooling center set up for people who need to escape the heat.

Tips & Warnings

• Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke which can be fatal. At the first sign of heat exhaustion, retreat from the heat and attempt to cool down.
• If you experience symptoms that persist after you have made attempts at relief, seek immediate medical attention.

[kayacamilla]

on 11/2/2009 I will share this article to all my website accounts. This is very important for everyone to know :)

[maryellen1001]

on 8/21/2009 Great article! Very informative.

[niteowlgardener]

on 8/20/2009 Thanks for the tips on protecting yourself against heat exhaustion. I am frequently outside in the heat and this article will help.

[Marilynda]

on 8/20/2009 My daughter should have read this article when she was out with the kids the other day. Nicely written and important to pay attention to. 5*