Deacons "Don't be a Heat Casualty."

[Deacon]

"Don't be a Heat Casualty!"
Deacon, NREMT

For a Medical Emergency ALWAYS Call 9-1-1 FIRST. Inform the Event Host or Nearest Referee A.S.A.P!

Alright Guys and Gals, I've been noticing an uptick in Players who are ill-prepared for events during the summer months. That and there are always the super-over-burdened Players wearing multiple layers of clothing on top of an excessive amount of gear. This will be a short presentation on the signs for Heat Casualties.

Lets take a look at the three forms of heat exposure and their Signs:

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Heat Cramps-
Heat Cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur after an intense exercise mainly due to dehydration and a loss of essential electrolytes(hypovolemia). This can happen in those of us who are athletes just as easily as those of us who are couch potatoes. A majority of the time these cramps happen in the abdominal area as well as the lower extremities. The pain can be severe. 

Signs: Acute Muscular/Abdominal Pain.

What to do:
- Remove the Player from the hot environment out of sunlight and radiant heat.
- Loosen any tight clothing.
- Rest! sit down or lie down.
- Replace fluids orally. Sports drinks with electrolytes are helpful but the most useful is WATER!!! Stay away from overly sugary or salty drinks. (Energy Drinks)
- Cool the Player with a misting of water or via fan or A/C.

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Heat Exhaustion- MEDICAL EMERGENCY
This is the most common serious illness caused by heat exposure. Again the exposure results in loss of fluids and an imbalance in electrolytes due to heavy sweating. Onset usually occurs in a Hot Humid environment (extended times and poor ventilation. Someone not acclimated to the heat.)

Signs:
- Dizziness, Weakness or faintness resulting in an altered state of consciousness.
- Nausea, Vomiting, Headache.
- Muscle Cramping, Abdominal Cramping.
- Cold Clammy Skin with an Ashen Pallor.
- Dry tongue and thirst.
- Pulse is often rapid.

What to do:
- Remove the Player from the hot environment out of sunlight and radiant heat.
- Cool the Player with a misting of water or via fan or A/C. (NO ICE WATER!)
- Have the Player drink up to a Liter of water slowly. If they are laying down, encourage them to sit up. (Never force someone to drink water or drink water while laying down. They may Aspirate!)

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Heatstroke- SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY! CALL 9-1-1 ASAP!
This is the least common but most serious illness caused by heat exposure. Again dehydration, loss of electrolytes which results in the loss of the bodies ability to perspire due to the hypovolemia.
(One thing to consider is that a Victim of Heat Stroke may still sweat with an early stage of onset!)

Signs:
- Change in behavior.
- Hot, Dry, Flushed Skin.
- The Patient may become unresponsive quickly and seizures may occur.
- The pulse is strong and rapid.
- The person will become increasingly unresponsive and the pulse will weaken.
- The respiratory rate will increase.
- The inability to perspire will also become apparent due to the loss of Thermoregulation. (If you're sweating, they should too!)

What to do: SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY! CALL 9-1-1 ASAP!

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Remember you should be drinking at least 3 Liters of water. During a heavy exorcise the body can lose more than 1 Liter of water an hour through perspiration. Keep yourself well hydrated.

A brief visual on the color of your urine can indicate just how hydrated you really are!

Things that are not water that may enhance the effect of heat illness:
- Energy Drinks
- Caffeinated Drinks
- Sugary Drinks

The More you know! Play smart. Stay Hydrated. Have fun!

[Spear]

Thank you for posting this. One thing I try to imbed into new players heads is the importance of hydration. Its more important than your gun or gear or footwear.

[Ghast]

This should be stickied after he changes the christmas lights for something more readable.

[Ogre]

I vote for sticky as well

[evanwormer]

+1 to that
Staying healthy and safe especially during the summer is something people need to read about

[Vic (Rattlehead)]

A Hydration Bladder is the best purchase any player can make. +1

[Zorak]

Stickied.

[Pick]

Dear God, I already got this safety brief.

[Squirrel]

As a victim of severe dehydration, remember, water alone may not be enough to stop the effects of heat cramps and other heat related problems. You should also be replacing the salts you are sweating out.

Some of the folks on here have heard my story, but here it goes again.

While backpacking the Pictured Rocks Lake Shore I was consuming 4 to 5 liters of water per day of hiking. The last day I began feeling my muscles shut down without about 5 miles to the pickup point.

By the time I got back to the cabin and situated, my muscles were so tense I could barely walk or lift anything. I began throwing up and had severe cramping and diarrhea. The next morning, showing no sign of improvement, I went in to the hospital. My Potassium level was around 2.6. For an adult it should be 3.5 to 5.2. They forced a few IV fluid bags into me that offered a great amount of relief.

Recovery took about two weeks of potassium pills.

So remember, part of staying hydrated is replacing your salts / electrolytes.