How To Combat Hyperthermia

Sevelx | October 21, 2015 | General, Survival

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It’s a simple fact. The majority of wilderness emergencies and deaths occur due to heat related illnesses like hypothermia, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. So in this article we will focus on helping you avoid danger in warmer temperatures, AND learn the signs and treatment of warm weather’s most lethal killers.

In survival training and preparation we spend a great deal of time on hypothermia, don’t we? That is when the body gets too cold. However, what about hyperthermia, when we get too hot?

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Thinking Inside Out

To illustrate this idea of doing the opposite of what we would do for a lower body temperature, let us first consider a reflective blanket/tarp. Typically we use them to reflect heat back onto us. However if were to set one up opposite of what is normal, then it serves to reflect heat of the sun away from us.

I hope that illustrates the point of reversing your tactics for the assistance or prevention of heat related illness.

Here are 6 Levels of Heat Related Illnesses and How to Treat Them

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Heat Cramps – you begin to feel pressure in muscles anywhere on the body. Many people feel it in the abdominal area, but others never do. For example, my calves start cramping first when I start getting dehydrated. Treatment is to get water in your body as soon as possible and to massage the affected muscle groups. ………..

Heat Edema – excessive heat causes the blood vessels to expand in your extremities. It is noted by swelling, particularly in your hands or feet. A contributing factor to edema is a poor balance of salt in the body. Treatment is to remove the person from the heat, and to raise the extremities affected. ……….

Heat Syncope – otherwise known as fainting, heat syncope is caused during heat-related overexertion. As your body tries to cool itself, it reduces blood flow because of dilation of the blood vessels. You will feel dizzy first and then pass out. The best method for treatment is to, again, remove the person from whatever is causing the overexertion, give them fluids- particularly cooling fluids- and have them drink water, with salt added, Vitalyte or in a pinch Gatorade.

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