The National weather service and our local weathermen all agree, ‘temperatures in Abilene and for the most part Texas, have been extremely mild this winter and spring’. Now that we’re entering into summer, the temperatures have started soaring into triple digits. With that comes the dangers of dehydration, heat exhaustion and in some cases, deadly heat stroke. The later of which nearly happened to me on Memorial Day weekend, when I discovered that I was on the verge of total collapse and could have died.

We’ve already recorded several 100 plus degree days, but the temperatures on Memorial Day were only in the 90′s. However, that was enough to cause me to go seek medical attention for what the doctor said was, “a thin line between heat exhaustion and heat stroke and the only reason you’re not hospitalized is because you were drinking, some water although not enough.” As I’m explaining all this to our local weatherman/weather guru/morning show partner Pete Beretta, he said “you could have died, you needed to prepare for that kind of activity.” Pete decided to share my Memorial Day fiasco with our listeners and turned it into a learning experience and easy to remember tips for the hot deadly weather in West Texas.

 

HERE’S PETE EXPLAINING HEAT STROKE SIGNS

Here are some tips to help you identify, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion Signs and Symptoms:

  • Sweating, moist, clammy skin
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Slightly elevated temperature
  • Headache
  • Disorientation

What To Do:

  • Remove victim from heat.
  • Apply cool, wet clothes.
  • Fan victim. Stop if victim develops goose bumps or shivers.
  • If victim is conscious, give fluids.
  • If possible, have victim drink a mixture of 1 pint water with 1 teaspoon of salt every 30 minutes until person recovers.
  • See medical attention if person does not continually improve.
  • Do not give victim any stimulant, including alcohol and cigarettes.
  • Do not apply ice directly to skin.
  • Do not allow victim to become so cold that he or she shivers.
  • Do not leave victim alone.

 

Heat Stroke Signs and Symptoms:

  • Hot, dry skin
  • Red or spotted skin
  • Extremely high blood temperature
  • Mental confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness

What To Do:

  • Get medical attention immediately.
  • Remove person from heat.
  • Remove victims clothing and place victim in a cool bath, or apply cool compresses to body.
  • Do not leave victim alone.

Source: Vacaville Fire Department

 

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