June 24, 2009
You are on deck getting everything ready for the next voyage. The captain wants everything done by 4 p.m. and everyone is really scrambling to meet the deadline.
It’s 10 a.m. and the sun is already hot. You realize you forgot the sunscreen but there’s no time to stop.
It’s 11 a.m. and your leg begins to twitch, then cramps. You are sweating like you never have before and you have a headache. But you continue to work. The rest of the crew is depending on you.
At noon your cramps and headache are much worse, your skin is cool and moist, and you feel weak and dizzy. You are experiencing heat exhaustion and if you do not cool off you could end up with heat stoke, which can be fatal.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke can save your life or the lives of those around you.
Heat-related emergencies can happen to anyone, anytime and anyplace. However they are even more likely to happen during summer when more people are drawn to the water. While the water itself is usually cool, being around the water only intensifies the heat by reflecting the sun’s rays back at you.
You know the old saying, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. With heat-related emergencies, think in terms of ounces – ounces of water, that is. Not alcohol, coffee, tea or soda; these dehydrate you. Think and drink water.
Here are some tips to help prevent heat-related illnesses.
1. Drink water. Carry a water bottle and continuously take sips, even when you do not feel thirsty. I like to freeze a few bottles of water 80 percent full (to allow for expansion) and carry one with me. As it melts, I sip on cold water.
2. Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored, breathable clothes that reflect the heat.
3. Wear a hat that covers your head and ears. Wide-brimmed hats may not be the latest fashion craze but they will keep the sun off you.
4. Graze. Eat several small meals.
5. Pace yourself. Yes, the work must be done, but if you need to, work at a slower pace to avoid over heating.
6. Think timing. If possible, schedule more strenuous outside tasks in the early morning or evening to avoid the day’s peak heat.
7. Take a break. Get into the air conditioning or shade when possible. Use this time to refill your water bottle.
There are many things that can cause heat-related emergencies, especially high temperatures and high humidity. Often high heat and humidity affect the body’s ability to cool itself. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate quickly. This prevents the body from releasing heat quickly.
Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use can also affect our body’s ability to cool itself. And yes, a hard night of drinking can increase your risk factor. You may wish to switch to club soda if you know that your next day is going to be a long hot day in the sun.
Heat stroke is the most dangerous type of heat emergency as it can cause death or permanent disability. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. It is possible for the body temperature to reach 106°F or higher within 15 minutes.
Warning signs for heat stroke vary but may include an extremely high body temperature; red, hot and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness, nausea, confusion, hallucinations and/or bizarre behavior; seizures; and unconsciousness.
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Call for immediate medical assistance, get the victim out of the sun and cool the victim rapidly by placing the person in a cool shower or spraying the victim with cool water.
Apply ice packs to the victim’s neck, groin, and armpits. Blood circulates close to the skin at these points and will carry cooler temperatures throughout the body.
Get medical attention as soon as possible. If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call or radio for further emergency medical instructions.
Lastly, if there is vomiting, make sure the airway remains open by turning the victim on his/her side.
Remember, it is much easier to prevent these heat-related emergencies than it is to treat them. Drink plenty of water and look for early warning signs.
Keith Murray, a former Florida firefighter EMT, is the owner of The CPR School, a CPR, AED and first-aid training company that provides onboard training for yacht captains and crew. Contact him at +1-561-762-0500 or keith@theCPRschool.com . Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com .
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