Austin EMS Rescue Of Heat-Felled Hiker Underscores Sun's Dangers

AUSTIN, TX — Medics on Saturday rescued a hiker suffering from heat-related illness from a local green belt on Saturday — one of 18 victims of the scorching Central Texas heat this week — amid high temperatures, prompting officials to advise residents to take necessary precautions.

The hiker aided by medics, a man in his 50s, was plucked from a small trail along the Barton Creek Green Belt at 1700 Camp Craft Rd. shortly after 1 p.m. He was extricated from the wilderness with the use of a so-called "big wheel" rescue device outfitted with a stretcher mounted atop a large, ATV-style wheel, Austin-Travis County EMS medics detailed on Twitter.

The victim was transported to Seton Medical Center for treatment of injuries not expected to be life-threatening. He'll likely be okay, but officials are warning of the hidden dangers of heat as people venture outside to enjoy what is otherwise beautiful weather — many without planning for the heat, sans bottled drinking water, sunscreen, sunshine-shielding head wear and other key hiking accouterments.

But many people take the outdoors oblivious to the deceptive dangers posed by such high temperatures. That lack of forethought and planning is illustrated in local, continually updated, EMS stats: In the course of this week alone, medics said, 18 people have required emergency assistance resulting from the unforgiving heat, according to medics. The potential dangers prompted Austin-Travis County EMS officials to issue advisories ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, a peak period of outside recreation that will be marked by high temperatures.

According to the National Weather Service, it will be a sunny and hot throughout Memorial Day weekend in Austin and surrounding areas, the heat making its scorching entrance with a high temperature on Saturday expected to reach 99 degrees — but with a heat index of 104 degrees. High temperatures will stay in the upper 90s throughout the holiday weekend into Monday, forecasters said.

The summer-like conditions ahead by nearly a month of the official start of the season have prompted emergency officials to issue advisories. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, utilize sunscreen and assess their plans ahead of time (particularly activities such as hiking and boating) based on whether they're able to handle such excursions in the oppressive heat.

Under such hot conditions, the danger of succumbing to heat stroke is real. The condition is caused by overheating, typically resulting from prolonged exposure or physical exertion in high temperatures. Most common in the summer months (but then again, this is Texas), the condition occurs when body temperatures reach 104 degrees or higher.

Left untreated, heatstroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Conditions worsen the longer medical treatment is delayed, and could lead to even more serious complications and even death, the Mayo Clinic says. On their website, they outline symptoms, risk factors and prevention:

SYMPTOMS

• High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
• Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
• Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
• Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
• Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.
• Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.
• Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.
• Headache. Your head may throb.

RISK FACTORS

• Age. Your ability to cope with extreme heat depends on the strength of your central nervous system. In the very young, the central nervous system is not fully developed, and in adults over 65, the central nervous system begins to deteriorate, which makes your body less able to cope with changes in body temperature. Both age groups usually have difficulty remaining hydrated, which also increases risk.
• Exertion in hot weather. Military training and participating in sports, such as football or long-distance running events, in hot weather are among the situations that can lead to heatstroke.
• Sudden exposure to hot weather. You may be more susceptible to heat-related illness if you're exposed to a sudden increase in temperature, such as during an early-summer heat wave or travel to a hotter climate. Limit activity for at least several days to allow yourself to acclimate to the change. However, you may still have an increased risk of heatstroke until you've experienced several weeks of higher temperatures.
• A lack of air conditioning. Fans may make you feel better, but during sustained hot weather, air conditioning is the most effective way to cool down and lower humidity.
• Certain medications. Some medications affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful in hot weather if you take medications that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics). Stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illegal stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine also make you more vulnerable to heatstroke.
• Certain health conditions. Certain chronic illnesses, such as heart or lung disease, might increase your risk of heatstroke. So can being obese, being sedentary and having a history of previous heatstroke.

PREVENTION

• Wear loosefitting, lightweight clothing. Wearing excess clothing or clothing that fits tightly won't allow your body to cool properly.
• Protect against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself, so protect yourself outdoors with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
• Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body's ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat.
• Never leave anyone in a parked car. This is a common cause of heat-related deaths in children. When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 6.7 C) in 10 minutes. It's not safe to leave a person in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked or the car is in shade. When your car is parked, keep it locked to prevent a child from getting inside.
• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you can't avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, drink fluids and rest frequently in a cool spot. Try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening.
• Get acclimated. Limit time spent working or exercising in heat until you're conditioned to it. People who are not used to hot weather are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. It can take several weeks for your body to adjust to hot weather.
• Be cautious if you're at increased risk. If you take medications or have a condition that increases your risk of heat-related problems, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating. If you participate in a strenuous sporting event or activity in hot weather, make sure there are medical services available in case of a heat emergency.

For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic website.

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