First responders encourage hydration, shade, for hot days

RICHLAND, Wash.-- Forecasters are calling for temperatures to hit triple digits this week, with highs expected to hit near 105 degrees on Tuesday.

"Anytime we get above 90 degrees, people need to be extra careful of being out in the heat and the sun," said Luke Mohney, a firefighter-paramedic with the Richland Fire Department. "When you're out in the sun, or working in the heat, or even playing in the heat, you need to make sure you're drinking lots of water and electrolyte replacement drinks."

The Richland Fire Department recommends that you drink one bottle of electrolyte or sports drinks for four every four bottles of water.

Mohney says in addition to staying hydrated, it's important to watch for signs of heat-related illnesses if you're spending a lot of time outside in the heat:

• Heat Cramps- one of the first signs of heat-related illness, usually due to excess sweating and the loss of electrolytes. Treat heat cramps by drinking water and electrolytes or sports drinks, and getting out of the heat.
• Heat Exhaustion- characterized by very heavy sweating, skin is cool to the touch and clammy, with a fast pulse and heavy breathing, and possibly with nausea,vomiting, dizziness, and muscle cramps. When this happens, you want to get into an air conditioned space if possible, drink fluids including electrolytes, and monitoring symptoms. If symptoms don't subside after an hour, seek medical treatment.
• Heat Stroke- symptoms include skin that is hot to the touch, and no longer sweating due to dehydration, possibly caused by previous excessive sweating. Watch for dizziness, nausea, confusion, disorientation, or loss of consciousness. In this case, call 911 right away.

Mohney recommends that if you have to work outside, schedule your day to start earlier, so you can't finish up before the highest heat of the day, which generally occurs between 1:00 and 5:00 PM. He also suggests that you stay out of the direct sun as much as possible, and don't work alone so you and your coworkers can watch for signs of heat-related illness.

"We don't respond to heat-related issues too often," Mohney said. "People are usually pretty good about taking care of themselves-- nobody likes to get out and overheat themselves. But there are times due to alcohol or other intoxicants people can get kind of sick before they realize it. And in sports-related activities, too. People are pretty competitive and they want to win whatever sports activity they're at so they don't stop and take that break."