Symptoms of heat exhaustion/heat stroke and first aid tips --good article.

[Lady Amy of York]

This was sent to me by a friend  who is  a medic. Good info  for  faire or  for  anytime  you are out in the  heat.

HEAT SYNCOPE Is a mild form of heat illness that often results from physical exertion whenit is hot. It occurs when your body, in an effort to cool itself, causes theblood vessels to dilate to such an extent that blood flow to the brain isreduced. Inadequate fluid replacement, which leads to dehydration, usuallycontributes greatly to this illness. Symptoms: Faintness, dizziness, headache, increased pulse rate, restlessness,nausea, vomiting, brief loss of consciousness  First Aid: Get victim to lie or sit down in the shade or a cool area. Elevatethe feet. Have the victim drink fluids and refrain from vigorous activity

  HEAT CRAMPS:  Symptoms: Complaints of pain in abdomen or legs. First Aid: Get victim to rest in a comfortable position at a cooler place.Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half-glassof cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine,which can make conditions worse.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: This condition typically occurs when people exercise heavilyor work in a warm humid place where body fluids are lost through heavysweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease tothe vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, thevictim's condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and thevictim may suffer heatstroke. Symptoms: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache;nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be nearnormal. First Aid: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove orloosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets.If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the persondrinks slowly. Give a half-glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not giveliquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in acomfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in condition.

HEAT STROKE (Sun stroke): A life-threatening situation. The victim'stemperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stopsworking. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and deathmay result if the body is not cooled quickly. Symptoms: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; andrapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be as high as 105 degrees F.If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet;otherwise, it will feel dry. First Aid: Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Movethe person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a coolbath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals ofbreathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the bodyany way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there arechanges in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

[Xantrawler]

Thanks for this article Lady Amy. Hope everyone reads this, especially the part about CAFFINATED drinks. Do you know how many people I pick up who says ,"But i have been drinking, 8 cups of coffee, three bigslams of coke and two energy drinks." Not saying not to enjoy your favorite drinks, just be drinking water and or a sports (In moderation) drink. caffeine is what we call a diuretic, which means it pushes water out of your system. Keep in mind that the medics at faire are also working at the basic level, which means no IV's until the ambulance arrives, which means all fluid goes by mouth and if you are unresponsive they can't do that. We are here to have fun so drink lots and if you run low on cash I will buy you water,or give you mine. I don't want to see any of my friends get sick this weekend.
On a lighter note, I think if it is still this hot Saturday and Sunday I will ask the sheriff to arrest me and dyunk me...repeatedly.

[Aaroncois]

if it is still this hot Saturday and Sunday I will ask the sheriff to arrest me and dyunk me...repeatedly.

I didn't check Saturday, but if the forecast for Sunday holds, it should be in the low 80s, which is on the high side of perfect. I prefer upper-70s if I'm in garb, but low 80s is tolerable.

[Xantrawler]

As I have been known to saw, it's nice to be a peasant when it's hot. Or sure those nobles look real nice first thing in the morning, but by the time late afternoon rolls around they are a nice puddle of sweat.
I feel for the cast on days like this. You real have to give it to them for working through this type of heat. Oh to be a mud beggar.

[MMario]

Archery almost ALWAYS has water...we can't hand it out to just anyone...but if you get caught short Use the code phrase "Uncle MMario said I could have some gin"

[Xantrawler]

Thanks mmario that's great to know. Just another thing that makes Sterling a great faire

[Alaric]

Archery almost ALWAYS has water...we can't hand it out to just anyone...but if you get caught short Use the code phrase "Uncle MMario said I could have some gin"

HA! Wish I had read this thread before I went  Plenty of water vendors were about tho so I never ran dry.