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Survive The Heat

July 20, 2011 by  

Survive The Heat

With heat advisories being issued across the United States, it’s important to be prepared in case a heat wave affects your area. Exposure to extreme heat can lead to illness or even death. Knowing the best ways to beat the heat is one of the most necessary survival skills, no matter where you live.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests staying indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned place, as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest level of a building, away from sunshine. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and protect your face and head with a wide-brimmed hat. If you must work outside during a heat wave, avoid working during the hottest part of the day. Always make sure to drink plenty of water, and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

“Historically, from 1979-2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. During this period, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined,” a guide from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) read.

“People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough. In such cases, a person’s body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.”

Recognizing the signs of heat-related illness could save your life. Heat cramps, which are muscle pains and spasms accompanied by heavy sweating, are the least severe heat-related illness, but are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat, according to FEMA. If heat cramps are ignored, they can lead to heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke, which can be deadly.

FEMA’s first aid tips for dealing with heat-related illnesses are available here.

Filed Under: Liberty News, Staff Reports, Survival and Self-sufficiency
Personal Liberty News Desk

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  • independant thinker

    One key to handling hot weather is acclimation. I do physical work outside for anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours each day and usually in the hottest part of the day and have no problems with the heat. Of course I pay attention to my body and its reaction to the heat and take gatoraid and water breaks regularly.

    • granny mae

      You must be related to my husband. He is always outside in the heat. He smells like it when he comes in too !!! He has always been able to handle the heat better than me. I have to make him come in and drink water and get salt and so on. He just has always been that way. He is an out-door person !

  • Antonio

    I grew up in small concrete house with a metal roof and no ceiling. That is the average house in Colombia. Believe me, it is extremely hot that metal roof and there is no A.C. We just use fans, that just blows that hot air on you. One thing to do when you have no A.C. is to get a shirt and wet it. That will keep your body temperture down. I live in Texas now and here it is really dry and hot, whereas, in Colombia it is humid and hot and wet. when it rains down there it cools you off a lot. Here eventhough we have A.C. we dont use it all the time. we open windows. But if they should ever cut your power which i wouldn’t doudt, just go outside under a big tree if you have one or some on your property. In the shade with 100+ temp and a wet shirt around your neck you will be alright.

  • jopa

    Great article Marcy, but I would like to add that it’s not just a warning to the elderly but to everyone.So many times I see the schools having competitive sport programs going full tilt during heat waves and most coaches think, oh the kids are young and they can take it.Most can but today there seems to be a lot more underlying health issues with the kids such as asthma.I think the parents should be involved whether their kids participate on any given day and be aware of the dangers.Thank you

    • TIME

      JoPa,

      On this I agree with you 100%, great post!

    • granny mae

      jopa,

      You have this one right 100%! Too many kids have died in the past few years by coaches having them work in the blistering heat ! They need to think of other alternatives !

  • Dan az

    I know it sounds like a conspiracy theory but if you think about it,it all adds about.The global warming conspiracy is counterd by the Haarp conspiracy,The oil crises conspiracy is counterd by the green conspiracy.Which is to get us off our high demand of energy.The fact that the earth has shifted 26 degrees has everything to do with our weather patterns.And the Proven Haarp prodject has everything to do with our weather patterns.So using our air conditioners is one of the highest demands to counter heat is not going to lessen our use but they (agenda 21)pushers can control how much we use by simply turning off your power during peak usages,which is high heat times.How better to kill of the older generation by way of heat stroke and not cost them a dime in fact would save them money.Conspiracy theory or just fact?You decide!

    • ValDM

      It isn’t just the old folks that will be affected (eliminated) by heat. There are an estimated 3+ million people chronically ill with auto-immune disorders, like RA, MS, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, lupus, tuberous sclerosis; just to name a few; that don’t suffer heat very well. Heat would be an excellent way to get rid of us, too.

    • TIME

      Dan,
      Look into the airplane contrails on Alex Jones sight in the archives area.

      • Dan az

        Time
        I have and I have a few saved to post also.Thanks

    • herman richardson

      I think that is 3 degrees friend

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