Your Summer Heat Survival Guide (8pg)

Hot weather is just around the corner. Combine the summer heat with high humidity, outdoor physical activity and not enough fluid intake and you can easily create a recipe for three types of a heat-related illness.

Heat Cramps
The mildest form of heat injury
Symptoms: Painful cramps, especially in the legs, Flushed, moist skin

First-Aid Treatment
(1) Move to a cool place and rest, (2) Remove excess clothing and fan skin, (3) Place cool cloths on skin,
(4) Give cool sports drinks (Gatorade, etc. ) containing salt and sugar (5) Stretch cramped muscles slowly and gently

Heat Exhaustion
More severe form of heat injury
Symptoms: Muscle cramps, Pale, moist skin, Usually a fever over 100.4º F, Headache, Fatigue, Weakness, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Anxiety and faint feeling

First-Aid Treatment
(1) Move to a cool place and rest, (2) Remove excess clothing and fan skin, (3) Place cool cloths on skin and fan, (4) Give cool sports drinks (Gatorade,
etc.) containing salt and sugar, (5) If there’s no improvement or the person cannot take fluids, go to an emergency room immediately

Heat Stroke
Most severe form of heat injury. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and can cause brain damage, even death. If someone exhibits any of these symptoms, they should seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms: Warm, dry skin, High fever, usually over 104º F, Lack of sweating despite the heat, Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak, Headache, Nausea and vomiting, Lethargy and stupor, Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering, Seizures, Unconsciousness

First-Aid Treatment
(1) Move to a cool place and rest, (2) Call 91 or local emergency medical service, (3) Remove excess clothing and drench skin with cool water; fan skin, (4) Place ice bags on the armpits and groin area, (5) Offer cool fluids if person is alert and able to drink

And remember children and teenagers sweat less and produce more heat when they’re active than adults. So whenever it’s hot outside, make sure everybody is comfortably dressed, drinks plenty of fluids and takes frequent breaks in the shade.

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