The natural environment comes with incredible things that everyone should experience. But at the same time, it also comes with a range of dangers, which is something every prepper has to be aware of. More than that, everyone who spends time in the great outdoors has to be versed both in understanding dangers and what to do when they arise. Of course, while there are numerous threats for anyone who ventures into the wilderness, some are more relevant. Among these, there are a few that can strike even in the urban environment where most believe they are safe from the elements. Here, the biggest danger by far comes from temperature spikes.
On one side of this, there are the extremely low temperatures, where the problems like frostbite or hypothermia can wreak havoc on unprepared individuals. On the other side, there are extreme temperatures on the opposite point of the thermometer – extreme heat. There are many places, especially around the equator, where these upward spikes regularly occur. But today, the world is witnessing a time when these can strike even thousands of miles away from the traditionally warm climate regions.
Even major cities in the industrialized nations tend to see more and more extreme heat waves that provide a lot of problems, including the most serious instances of injury and death. In these very hot environments, the main danger lies in the condition called the heat stroke. This is considered a full medical emergency and the most serious form of injury sustained from heat. For anyone who ventures into hot environments or simply wants to be fully prepared in the case of urban heat waves, understanding heat stroke is essential. Here are the key facts about it, along with everything you need to know about heat strokes.
What is a Heat Stroke?
The simplest way to understand this medical condition is to perceive it as the moment when a body loses control over its temperature regulation system. The same condition comes about after a prolonged exposure to very high temperatures. These can be from the high temperature of the air, but also from high temperatures of water or anything else that is surrounding the victim of a heat stroke. A heat stroke can occur when the body core temperature, meaning the inner organs, climbs above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 ℃).
At this point, the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, which is something it does with the use of things like sweating, becomes impaired. The means of temperature regulation, mainly metabolism and skin, become ineffective and eventually completely shut down their thermoregulation processes. In the brain, the same thermoregulation center gets overwhelmed by external heat and the body’s own excessive metabolic production of so-called inner heat, or the heat that comes from within the body. When all of this takes place, the body can no longer deal with the heat outside and inside of it. The process will gradually become more pronounced and will eventually lead to death.
People more at Risk of Heat Stroke
The most vulnerable populations for the heat stroke are mostly the same individuals who are generally more under threat from other medical conditions. In a nutshell, these include two big categories: individuals who are seniors and over 50 years of age on one side and small children on the other. Small children in this regard usually comprise of kids who are babies and toddlers, meaning those who are three years of age and under. These two groups are the most threatened by heat strokes, but it is important to mention that even athletes who are in their prime can get heat stroke, especially if they compete and train in the outer environment. The same is true for any other profession that is both physically demanding and takes place outside. Yet, while these are definitely the most jeopardized groups, they are not the only one. Under the right circumstances, like a hot car, anyone can fall victim to a heat stroke and this is crucial for any prepper to remember.
Heat Stroke Symptoms
This medical condition has several forms that are less dangerous, but all of which are based on the same principle of the thermoregulation system being rendered useless because of the high temperature outside. Some of these milder illnesses that are heat-related include heat cramps, heat fainting and the most common one, heat exhaustion. As a child, the chances are that you at least once experienced heat exhaustion after a long day playing in the sun. While any one of these can be a serious issue if left unattended, they are not as dangerous as heat strokes. The main symptom of this condition is the 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 ℃) core temperature.
Aside from it, there are many more that may or may not show themselves in any particular order or severity. These include a headache that is often described as throbbing, lightheadedness and dizziness, an absence of sweating, skin that is hot to the touch, red and dry, vomiting and nausea, and a rapid heartbeat. From the mental and behavioral perspective, symptoms include staggering, confusion and disorientation, followed by potential seizures and periods of unconsciousness.
First Aid Treatment for Heat Strokes
The first move in the case a person around you might be having a heat stroke is to call 911 and provide them with professional first aid care. If this is not available, the person in question should be moved away from open heat spots – this includes hot places in direct sunlight. Instead, they should be put in any other place that is shaded and cooler, ideally an air-conditioned room. There, the person should be stripped of any of their clothing because it will slow down their cool-down process. Once there, several cooling strategies can be applied.
The easiest is to use any kind of a fan over the patient while wetting their skin with water. If ice packs are available they should be applied on the patient’s back, neck, groin area, and armpits. These areas are rich with numerous blood vessels near the skin, making the cooling more efficient. Finally, a person should be submerged into a running shower or a tub of cool water. In any of these cases, ice should be applied carefully so that it does not produce secondary frostbite. This is achieved by using a rag or towel that is placed between the patient’s skin and the ice pack. Also, ice-based cooling should be avoided for older individuals and young children.
Heat Stroke Prevention
Lastly, a guide to everything you need to know about heat strokes should include ways to prevent it. Firstly, in hot weather conditions, you should wear light-colored and lightweight clothes, along with a wide-brimmed hat. Sunscreen with a protection factor of SPF of 30 or more is recommended, while the proper hydration will allow the body to keep itself cool internally. Best fluids for this are water and drinks rich with electrolytes, like vegetable or fruit juices. Alcohol and caffeine drink both impact thermoregulation, so they should be avoided.
When it comes to activities in the hot weather, these should be reduced as much as possible and while on them, the person should watch out for the color of their urine. If it starts to turn dark and less clear, you might be entering the first stage of dehydration. Finally, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided in general, whenever this is possible – this is particularly true for survival situations in hot regions like deserts or tropical rainforests. In places like that, travel and overall activity should always take place in the early morning hours and late in the day, when the sun is at its lowest. Midday periods should be used for rest in the coldest available places.
With this information on everything you need to know about heat strokes, you will be able to protect yourself and your loved ones even in the hottest environments.
