www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall heatwave!

The forecast for the midwest & eastern seaboard indicates temperatures well into the 100+ mark. Prime heatstroke weather.

prevention: stay out of heat and sun, if you must work outside take frequent breaks indoors or in a shady area. drink plenty of water, juices or sports drinks- avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffine (they cause the body to lose fluid). wear light, loose fitting clothing and a hat to shield head and face. infants, children and the elderly should remain indoors if at all possible. never never never leave infants, small children or pets in car during a heatwave...even for a few minutes!

symptoms:mental confusion, muscle cramps, and often nausea or vomiting, early stages may include perfuse sweating, but as victim becomes dehyrated sweating will stop and skin will warm & dry to touch, also dizzyness, and hostile behavior. If the victim displays erratic behavior, rapid shallow breathing and a rapid heart beat consider this a medical emergency!

treatment: activate EMS. move victim to a cool area, use a fan or a/c to help lower body temperature. Cold compresses to the head, neck, and groin will help cool the victim. if there is any doubt as to the victim's level of conciousness do not give oral fluids (they may choke).

We've been in the high 90s for awhile, and little change is predicted. That's not so abnormal for our area in late summer. Perhaps we are a little more used to the higher temperatures than some. I cut grass yesterday evening and it had cooled to 89 at the time. I think Al Gore is behind the higher temperatures to sell more of his global warming books.

We are running this week a camp for children with cancer and their families. The heat is supposed to be 100 degrees with a heat index over 115.

We are constantly having to revise our schedules to include as much "cool" activities as possible. Needless to say this is creating a logostical nightmare for me, but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.

Let us hope that it is not a long term event this heat wave.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

My own plea is - please watch your fluid intake - you really need to drink and drink and drink and dri.........

You get the meaning

BUT as well as that you need to watch WHAT you are drinking - your body needs salt as well - so please step up your salt intake - this is one time it's safe to do it.

Have some salt on salads - even if you don't normally - you don't need much - just a bit more than normal.

Add a few grains of salt to every drink that you take - you won't taste it - but your body will bless you for it.

Stay out of the sun and heat as much as you can - lots of sunscreen and keep covered up with loose cool clothes.

Dear Anhelyna,

Taking things with a few grains of salt is par for the course here!

But as you are someone who is "hot" in more ways than one, you are truly an authority on this subject!

(Just a few posts today since it is the Administrator's birthday and I feel celebratory! Besides, I know he is welcoming to Ukrainians, if others are not! )

Alex

Dear Alex

I wondered what you were doing here Your post explains it.

We have been very warm for the last week or so - and I was remembering advice I have handed out in the past.

I even remember one year when I was in Nurse training that it was so bad [ no airconditioning then ] that we Nurses were issued with salt capsules and we were watched to make sure we took them !!

I was thinking of you when I was in Edinburgh for DL on Sunday - after all the Church is St Andrew and Our Lady of Pochaiv - and my thoughts often go to a certain wee icon which is in my caravan.

Now take care of yourself - and don't get your feathers ruffled

Dear Anhelyna,

If you were MY nurse, you could ruffle my feathers any time!

But, sadly, that was not to be . . .

Things just didn't pan out . . .

Alba Go Bragh!

Alex

Info from the Red Cross with downloads for adults and children: http://www.redcross.org/general/0,1082,0_243_4426,00.html


Further advice:
-Check on your elderly neighbors and aquintances to make sure they are properly cooled and hydrated. Thousands of deaths typically occur during heat waves in which the elderly die at home from heat and dehydration.

-Stay away from diuretics such as tea

-Go to a public air conditioned place for several hours a day if you do not have an AC (the mall, the library, etc)

-Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during periods of high use. Air conditioner filters can become clogged or filled with dirt, making them less efficient. Keeping them clean will allow your air conditioner to provide more cool air.

-Eat small meals and eat more often. Large, heavy meals are more difficult to digest and cause your body to increase internal heat to aid digestion, worsening overall conditions. Avoid foods that are high in protein, such as meats and nuts, which increase metabolic heat.

-Don't change temperatures drastically, for example by jumping into a cold shower immediately after being out in the heat. This can cause hypothermia, especially in children and the elderly.

-Don't chug on the water when you get thirsty. It can cause you to cramp if you drink that much water at once. Instead, drink small amounts of water constantly, even if you don't feel thirsty. This will keep you from dehydrating.

Keeping the salts up. I recall my fmaily taking salt tablets in some of the hot places we lives in around the world. I also recall a freind of my parents telling that they had been on a ship in the Red Sea. They had been instructed by the shipping company nurse on board to take the salt tablets. Those who did not do so soon became quiet unwell.

Avoid all activities that can be done later when the heatwave is over.

We keep the curtains closed as heat is gained and lost via the windows.

Cover up, wear a hat with a brim that goes all around, put on the sunnies and wear sun screan. In short slip, slop, slap,

Take care!

Welcome to metropolitan Phoenix, where 100+ degree days are the norm.

Just a word of caution to all who will be experiencing Phoenician like summer heat. Drink plenty of water before you begin the day's activities. If you become thirsty during the day while outside you are already dehydrated.

Father Deacon John wrote:

Even at 118 a few days ago, it wasn't as bad as the few days I spent in St. Louis a few years ago when the heat was in the high 90s but the humidity was 99% (or maybe 99.99%). I swear -- you could see the atmosphere!

I flew out of Phoenix in 1990, the night of the day we reached 122 degrees. Our daytime flight was cancelled because the planes were only guaranteed safe for takeoff to 120. We landed in Jacksonville, FL and drove down to St. Augustine. When we got back to our room after touring the Fort, I thought I had caught leprosy or some dreaded disease. My forehead had white spots from where the sweat protected it from getting tanned/burned by the sun. I'll take our "dry heat" over the Midwest and East Coast moist version any day -- at least here sweat dries!

Sophia

Dear Sophia,

I know what you mean about dry heat.

Greece has very hot summers. The days never go below the 90's. However, the heat is dry and it is tolerable.

Here in NY, the humidity makes 80 feel intolerable.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Alice

Do you want to get out of the heatwave? Come to Anchorage, Alaska, where our summer is for some reason, unseasonably cool. Everyone I know down in Lower 48, is HOT. Enjoy the best you can. John

Here in Galati it is also very hot. When I go outside a heat wall hits me. Now is a little better, but some days ago the temperature was around 38 oC, but because of the concrete and all this city, the heat index was over 40 oC. Some years ago it was 45 oC. And this near Danube.

All this earth is like a hive, the governements must follow Kyoto's treaty and if this treaty is not good, then another solution must be found.

A matter of energy, the science men must find reliable energy solutions.

Glory to God for all! His will be done, now and always and unto the ages of the ages. Amin.

In Risen Christ, Marian

________

www.sacredromania.com [sacredromania.com]

The heatwaves we are having in New York are nothing new. I remember them as far back as I can remember, and that goes back forty somewhat years.
The only difference between then and now is that, praise God, most of us now have air conditioning.

I am surprised about England though. When I lived in Europe I remember a brief heat wave while visiting London in 1982. There was not an air conditioned space to be found, either, since this was an unusual occurence. Infact, the year before, I remember visiting London in July and, not being prepared for cold weather, having to buy a sweater. I believe the temperature that visit was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I indulged, and bought a beautiful tight knitted cashmere cardigan at the Scotch House (which, alas, is no longer). I still have that sweater and twenty-five years later it still looks like it is brand new. Infact, I wore it today in the freezing office.

Alice