Heat exhaustion

Hash 704 to the Pellumbas Cave was long and HOT! Several of our hashers experienced symptoms of heat exhaustion:

- tired muscles
- mild nausea
- feeling faint
- dizziness

This is your body's way of saying, "Time Out! Stop and rest before you die!"

If you ignore your body's warnings, heat stroke could follow. Heat stroke is often fatal unless the victim can be hospitalized immediately.

Here's what happens:

Our body's core temperature (internal temperature, as a doctor would measure it with a thermometer) can't vary by more than a few degrees from its nominal 98.6 F or 37 C. In cold weather, we can add clothing to maintain that core temperature even when the outside temperature is -40 C!

When it's hot, though, there's only so much you can take off! Our body's way of coping with heat is to sweat. If your body runs out of water (dehydration, because you haven't been drinking enough water), and your sweating stops, your core temperature will start to rise. When its very hot or humid, even normal sweating won't be enough to keep your core temperature from rising.

When your core temperature rises to about 102-104 F, you will begin to experience the symptoms of heat exhaustion. Your body has realized that you're too stupid to slow down, so it will slow you down as a self-preservation or survival measure.

When you experience the symptoms of heat exhaustion, find a shady spot and sit or lie down. Drink fluids immediately. You should rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, and then proceed to your destination SLOWLY. Working your muscles, especially your leg muscles, will increase the heat that your body must dissipate.

If there is a lake, stream, or other body of water nearby, immerse yourself in it. If the water is very cold, don't jump in but put in your legs and let them act as a radiator for your excess body heat.

Remember, heat exhaustion is a WARNING. If you don't heed that warning, the consequences could be very serious.