enjyursins
Weetard
Everybody is asking questions regarding hot weather riding so I would like to start a lil "Tips" section in hopes that it may prevent at least 1 rider to keep from getting a heat related illness. May be lengthy but I'll try to chop it down some.
Disclaimer: I am NOT in the medical industry nor do I have any type of formal training regarding heat specific problems. What I do have is common sense, previous military training as well as the desire to help keep any rider from falling victim to heat related illness. This thread includes diff. articles you can find online or from my own personal experience. This is geared more to the riders going on long rides or touring but everybody can use this to their advantage because it's just good info.
A lot of this is from David Hough: From: http://www.sound rider.com/archive/safety-skills/when_youre_hot.htm but I've mixed in personal wording to bring it up, or down, to BARF Standards as well.
The gist of riding in heat is pretty simple:
Stay hydrated- Min. 1pint per hr of WATER. If your sweating heavily, pick up a Gatorade to replace your lost electrolytes. Not soda or coffee... The body has sweat glands to keep the skin damp. The evaporating sweat sucks heat from the skin, and transfers it to the air. That's one reason why we need to drink about a pint of water every hour during hot, dry conditions.
Cover your skin...sorry T-shirt guys, but a couple hours in the sun in a T-shirt may feel good but you are literally cooking yourself. Covering your skin prevents you from getting sunburned and will help keep you cooler longer. You may be sweating while covered but for once, deal with it. Use a bandana, silk scarf or some sort of "Neck Tube" to protect ur neck. Keep it damp to increase cooling. Anyways, So why cover your skin when it's already hotter then hell?
Because to help cool down the body's core, blood vessels enlarge to circulate more blood (and therefore body heat) towards the skin. This is laymans terms for something called Vasodilation. If the air temp is hotter than your body temp, the increased blood flow simply soaks up more heat from the air and pumps it back to the core. Covering exposed skin will help minimize the amount of heat transfer from the Air to your Body. Think of Heat sinks on a cylinder head or oil pan. It works on almost the exact same principle.
- Take frequent rest breaks Stop, relax, cool off and hydrate. Enjoy the brake.
Sounds simple right? Well, it is but we all know there are people that are still going to put themselves in danger so for the rest of us, let's learn how to help them when we see them and prevent ourselves from being cooked.
Diff. between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion and how to help a victim of
either.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs as the body continues to shunt blood away from the brain and muscles. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
1. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, momentary fainting
2. Cramps
3. Tiredness, weakness
4. Profuse sweating
5. Pale, clammy skin
6. Approximately normal body temperature
If you begin to feel these symptoms during a desert ride, take immediate action before you pass out.
1. Get into some shade, preferably into an air-conditioned room.
2. Loosen clothing and wet down skin or undershirt to increase evaporative cooling.
3. Slowly sip water, or salt water solution, same dose as for heat cramps. Avoid alcohol or caffeine.
4. If you feel faint, lie down and get feet raised above head level.
5. If you can’t keep the salt water down, get emergency medical aid. You may need an intravenous salt solution.
6. Even after you begin to feel normal again, consider staying out of the heat for a day or two. Your body needs some time to recuperate. If you are on a long trip, consider a 24 hour layover in the next air-conditioned motel.
Heat Stroke
If you experience heat exhaustion and just try to "tough out" the heat without getting cooled down and rehydrated, the body thermostats will begin to fail. Core temperature continues to rise (may go as high as 106 or 107 degrees F.), sweating stops, the heart beats even faster, and you may pass out. If you are coherent enough to recognize the symptoms, immediately get medical aid while you are still mobile. And watch your riding buddies for any of the following heat stroke symptoms.
1. Victim incoherent, staring vacantly, blanking out, or unresponsive
2. Skin hot, red, dry (no perspiration)
3. Rapid pulse
4. Body temperature elevated
Yes, heat stroke is life threatening. It’s a medical emergency. Don’t be bashful about calling 911 for assistance. In the meanwhile,
1. Get the victim into some shade, out of riding gear, and cooled down by any means available. If possible, get the victim into an air-conditioned room, or use fans to help provide evaporative cooling.
2. Repeatedly sponge skin with cool water or rubbing alcohol. Apply cold packs or ice cubes if you can get them. The goal is to get body temperature below 102 degrees F.
3. Don't give the victim any stimulants, especially not any alcoholic beverages.
4. If the victim's temperature begins to rise again, repeat the cooling process.
5. As soon as possible, get the victim to emergency treatment.
Disclaimer: I am NOT in the medical industry nor do I have any type of formal training regarding heat specific problems. What I do have is common sense, previous military training as well as the desire to help keep any rider from falling victim to heat related illness. This thread includes diff. articles you can find online or from my own personal experience. This is geared more to the riders going on long rides or touring but everybody can use this to their advantage because it's just good info.
A lot of this is from David Hough: From: http://www.sound rider.com/archive/safety-skills/when_youre_hot.htm but I've mixed in personal wording to bring it up, or down, to BARF Standards as well.
The gist of riding in heat is pretty simple:
Stay hydrated- Min. 1pint per hr of WATER. If your sweating heavily, pick up a Gatorade to replace your lost electrolytes. Not soda or coffee... The body has sweat glands to keep the skin damp. The evaporating sweat sucks heat from the skin, and transfers it to the air. That's one reason why we need to drink about a pint of water every hour during hot, dry conditions.
Cover your skin...sorry T-shirt guys, but a couple hours in the sun in a T-shirt may feel good but you are literally cooking yourself. Covering your skin prevents you from getting sunburned and will help keep you cooler longer. You may be sweating while covered but for once, deal with it. Use a bandana, silk scarf or some sort of "Neck Tube" to protect ur neck. Keep it damp to increase cooling. Anyways, So why cover your skin when it's already hotter then hell?
Because to help cool down the body's core, blood vessels enlarge to circulate more blood (and therefore body heat) towards the skin. This is laymans terms for something called Vasodilation. If the air temp is hotter than your body temp, the increased blood flow simply soaks up more heat from the air and pumps it back to the core. Covering exposed skin will help minimize the amount of heat transfer from the Air to your Body. Think of Heat sinks on a cylinder head or oil pan. It works on almost the exact same principle.
- Take frequent rest breaks Stop, relax, cool off and hydrate. Enjoy the brake.
Sounds simple right? Well, it is but we all know there are people that are still going to put themselves in danger so for the rest of us, let's learn how to help them when we see them and prevent ourselves from being cooked.
Diff. between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion and how to help a victim of
either.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs as the body continues to shunt blood away from the brain and muscles. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
1. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, momentary fainting
2. Cramps
3. Tiredness, weakness
4. Profuse sweating
5. Pale, clammy skin
6. Approximately normal body temperature
If you begin to feel these symptoms during a desert ride, take immediate action before you pass out.
1. Get into some shade, preferably into an air-conditioned room.
2. Loosen clothing and wet down skin or undershirt to increase evaporative cooling.
3. Slowly sip water, or salt water solution, same dose as for heat cramps. Avoid alcohol or caffeine.
4. If you feel faint, lie down and get feet raised above head level.
5. If you can’t keep the salt water down, get emergency medical aid. You may need an intravenous salt solution.
6. Even after you begin to feel normal again, consider staying out of the heat for a day or two. Your body needs some time to recuperate. If you are on a long trip, consider a 24 hour layover in the next air-conditioned motel.
Heat Stroke
If you experience heat exhaustion and just try to "tough out" the heat without getting cooled down and rehydrated, the body thermostats will begin to fail. Core temperature continues to rise (may go as high as 106 or 107 degrees F.), sweating stops, the heart beats even faster, and you may pass out. If you are coherent enough to recognize the symptoms, immediately get medical aid while you are still mobile. And watch your riding buddies for any of the following heat stroke symptoms.
1. Victim incoherent, staring vacantly, blanking out, or unresponsive
2. Skin hot, red, dry (no perspiration)
3. Rapid pulse
4. Body temperature elevated
Yes, heat stroke is life threatening. It’s a medical emergency. Don’t be bashful about calling 911 for assistance. In the meanwhile,
1. Get the victim into some shade, out of riding gear, and cooled down by any means available. If possible, get the victim into an air-conditioned room, or use fans to help provide evaporative cooling.
2. Repeatedly sponge skin with cool water or rubbing alcohol. Apply cold packs or ice cubes if you can get them. The goal is to get body temperature below 102 degrees F.
3. Don't give the victim any stimulants, especially not any alcoholic beverages.
4. If the victim's temperature begins to rise again, repeat the cooling process.
5. As soon as possible, get the victim to emergency treatment.
Last edited:
Thanks for the safety reminders!
