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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