Trek Medical Tip #3 - Heat Injury/Dehydration

HEAT INJURY & DEHYDRATION

Prevention
  • Ma/Pa’s are KEY to prevention and early recognition!
  • Rest in shade [Ma/Pa’s may need to use a tarp to make their own shade]
  • Wear a hat
  • Loosen clothing
  • Hydrate! Hydrate!! Hydrate!!!
  • Urine color is a guide to adequate hydration [males]

Recognition: Signs and Symptoms of Early Heat Injury/Dehydration
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Unsteady walking
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Muscle cramps
  • Infrequent urination

Late Signs of Heat Injury [Heat Stroke]I
  • Confusion, agitation [Mental Status Assessment]*
  • Vomiting
  • Involuntary bowel movement
  • Convulsions
  • Weak or rapid pulse
  • Coma, death

*Mental Status Assessment
What is your name?
What month is it?
Where are you?
What were you doing before you became ill?

Heat Injury/Dehydration First Aid
  • Notify Medics of even mild cases, so we can help keep an eye on them, AND so that Trail leaders can be made aware of how many are affected
  • Hydrate
  • Rest, pull cart to off line of travel
  • Loosen clothing
  • Shade: tarp

WATER INTOXICATION

Signs: Confusion, weakness, vomiting

Indicators:
  • Not eating [no salt intake], Drinking a lot, Frequent light-colored urine

VERY DANGEROUS, Call for medics ASAP

Finally…
In case of a medical problem, pull the cart off to the side of the trail and call for a medic. During the night movement, medics will have be wearing a red chemlight, at night camp, the medic/aid station will have a red chemlight visible.

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