Your hypothetical friends Harvey and Harriet have been on a summertime adventure, but it has been more of a mis-adventure!
This story of mis-adventure shows how you can get into trouble with your health in the summer in Arizona and what can be done about it. Remember, this is not medical advice, it is about what Harvey and Harriet hypothetically do!
In part 3, you can explore what precautions they should take next time to avoid their present predicament.
Harvey and Harriet Hiking
Harvey and Harriet decided to get out of the scorching heat and work routine in Phoenix and go to Flagstaff for some summer hiking fun.
They set out late, so did not get to Flagstaff to start on their hike until 11:30 AM.
Harvey was so happy to have stopped at that convenience store to get the super-sized coke, because it tastes so much better than water and will give him extra energy for the hike.
The weather in Flagstaff was very different than what they left in Phoenix. All the clouds in the sky really made it feel cool. They decided they did not need the sunscreen until later.
On the Trail
After a little while on the trail, Harvey was getting warm, so he took off his hat and shirt but did apply sunscreen to those tender areas that had not seen the sun.
Harriet sipped from her water bottle on the trail. Since Harvey had all that coke, he raced ahead and forgot about drinking much water.
On the way back, they stopped at a pond and sat down on the shore for a snack. Harriet took off her hat and long-sleeved shirt to cool down. They had trail mix which was half M&M’s, and also crackers and cheese.
They rested, and, falling asleep, didn’t notice that the clouds had cleared.
When Harvey woke up, he was starting to feel weakness and nausea.
Good thing he had covered himself before falling asleep, to keep out the sun, but it did not keep out the heat! His shirt and covering were dripping with sweat. He noticed that his skin was pale and clammy.
On feeling his pulse, Harriet noted that it was weak and rapid. As you might imagine, he was feeling very anxious.
Harvey has symptoms of heat exhaustion. It is caused by oversensitivity or prolonged exposure to heat or the sun.
What They Did
Harvey cooled off by getting in the shade and pouring cool water on his arms and head. Then he laid down with his head down.
They knew that if further assessment shows that he is in trouble, they must get him to the hospital or call 911.
First, his dehydrated body needs fluids and electrolytes. Harriet knows that structured water from her Natural Action water unit is perfect to hydrate because its surface tension is so much less than bulk water that it absorbs right into cells.
Then, for electrolytes, Harriet looked in her cupboards for the ingredients to prepare a natural alternative to Gatorade.
She added to 1 quart of water:
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbs. sugar or honey
She told Harvey to sip it consistently to feel better.
Further Assessment
Heat exhaustion is characterized by moist, clammy skin, with a normal or lower-than-normal body temperature.
They carefully distinguished his condition from heatstroke, also called sunstroke. The skin of a person with sunstroke is hot and dry, not clammy. Their body temperature is very, very high.
This serious condition can begin with
• a headache
• dizziness
• and fatigue,
• leading to skin which appears flushed with heat and dryness.
• Usually perspiration is decreased.
• The pulse is rapid
• and so may be the breathing.
In this condition, the body cannot maintain its cooling mechanisms, and the temperature may soar to 104 or even 106 Fahrenheit.
This calls for immediate cooling measures and medical help. Definitely call 911 for transport to a medical facility. There can be heart and brain complications, which can lead to death.
Go on to Harvey & Harriet’s Summertime Adventures, part 2 to find out what happened to Harriet!
