Heat-related related injuries
Last week a friend sent picture of his thermometer in his vehicle…. 118 degrees in California … same day we had 97 degrees in Wyoming. Yesterday it was 99 just a little north of us. Last week there were reports of a young dad who ‘forgot’ hiw 15 month old twins in the car….. baked. ;[ Never leave young OR old folks [nor your dog] in a vehicle unattended.
‘Extreme’ heat is especially hard on the young, old and infirm of our population. The best way of treating heat injuries is to PREVENT them. This is best accomplished by drinking plain water. How much water do you need to drink a day to prevent and treat heat related injuries? It is NOT the oft stated 8 – 8 oz containers of water which adds up to 64 ounces or 2 quarts a day. You need a lot more water than that on a normal day. Cross ref http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/re-hydration-drink/ and http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/fluid-electrolytes/
stay in side or at least in the shade during the heat of the day. An example of this custom is known as the Siesta. typically after a light lunch folks would nap or only do light activities. I personally like to take naps after lunch, especially if I can nap in a hammock, I would highly recommend this system even in the North lands.
How to treat heat injuries ==
Drink extra water,, even more than you think you need.
Wet them down with water, if possible have a misting device going in their area to help cool them. Fans help this effect.
If there is air conditioning get the victim into it. That is sometimes easier said than done, especially in a grid down situation. There is a low tech way around this. Hold that thought for a few minutes. In today’s throw away world there are large numbers of 2 L Coke bottles available for re-purposing. The thumbnail picture of this is that the bottles are cut in half reserving the bottom* for other uses. The top will now look like a funnel. When constructed and installed the wind is compressed and cooled as the air moves through. The actual plans with video are located at www.eco-cooler.com which is open source. They have a templates for free downloading.
I suspect that the actual mode of action for this device is that it shades the inside of the house while still letting the air move and carry away some of the heat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoRHuZlFnys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoRHuZlFnys
Homemade Air Conditioner 2016 EcoCooler-Homemade Air Conditioner hot against not electric-EcoCooler
*The bottom of the coke bottle will make a great planter. Cross ref [[ http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/grow-you-garden-in-pots/ ]]
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In a related story reporting 4 deaths https://www.yahoo.com/gma/4-dead-heat-intensifies-southwest-states-millions-under-125807094–abc-news-topstories.html
4 Dead in Arizona as Southwest Endures Record-Breaking Heat
EMILY SHAPIRO and BRIAN MCBRIDE,Good Morning America 2 hours 28 minutes ago
Four people are dead in Arizona amid a dangerous heat wave that’s extending to several Southwest states.
Two hikers died Sunday in Pima County, Arizona, from heat-related illnesses, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said. A 28-year-old trainer died from heat exhaustion Sunday after mountain biking at the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, according to the Phoenix Fire Department. A man died of heat exposure after hiking the Superstition Mountains on Saturday, the Pinal County Sheriff said.
Temperature records were shattered Sunday in dozens of cities in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.
Yuma, Arizona, hit 120 degrees; Phoenix hit 118 degrees; Palm Springs, California, reached 118 degrees; and Burbank, California, reached 109 degrees.
Previous records were hit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 103 degrees, and North Las Vegas, 109 degrees.
Monday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures in some areas topping 120 degrees. Utah, Nevada, California and Arizona are facing excessive heat warnings and advisories.
The extreme heat is hindering firefighters who are trying to contain large blazes in New Mexico, Arizona and California.
The record heat has affected plane travel. A United Airlines flight operated by Mesa Airlines departed Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday afternoon and was minutes away from landing at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix when the flight crew notified passengers it would be turning back; because of excessive heat’s effects on aircraft equipment, it is against the law for planes to take off or land in temperatures of 120 degrees or higher. [[Interesting! Safety point]]