RIDING IN THE SUMMER HEAT

The summer riding season is upon us; and so, unfortunately, is the summer heat and humidity. With this thought in mind, and with thanks to the Chapter Educator from GA E2, I think this would be a good time to refresh our memories in regards to Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. Both of these situations can be very serious, but both can be dealt with if we recognize the symptoms of each and have some knowledge in dealing with these heat related problems. (This not only applies to motorcycle riding, but to any outdoor activities.)

The body has automatic ‘thermostats’ to protect core organs. There are several controls to deal with heat stress including; sweating, vasodilatation (dilatation of the blood vessels), increase in heart rate, and reduction of blood pressure. If these controls don’t keep core temperatures within the body limits, or if sweating uses up too much water, the temperature regulating your system goes on the fritz.

Our bodies won’t take much of an increase in temperature without complaining. Symptoms of HEAT EXHAUSTION are tiredness, weakness, profuse sweating, pale/clammy skin, headaches, dizziness, nausea, momentary fainting and cramps. If you begin to feel these symptoms, take immediate action. Don’t wait to see if anything else feels or goes wrong! Get into some shade or, better yet, get into an air conditioned building. Loosen the clothing, wet down the skin or clothes, drink water and get proper medical attention.

HEAT STROKE, which is by far the worst of heat related injuries, must be dealt with immediately. If a rider doesn’t take immediate action to stave off heat stroke, the body thermostats will begin to fail. Core temperature will continue to rise, sweating will stop, the heart will beat faster, and the victim will become confused and can pass out. Without immediate medical care, the person will fall into a coma and may die. Symptoms are: victim is incoherent, staring vacantly, blanking out or becoming unconscious, skin is hot, red, and dry (no perspiration), pulse is rapid, and body temperature is elevated. Get the victim into shade, into an air conditioned building (if available), and/or in front of a fan. Remove their riding gear, loosen their clothing, and cool them down by any means available. Repeatedly sponge the skin with cool water or rubbing alcohol. Apply ice packs or ice cubes if you can get them. Do not give the victim any stimulants, especially not alcoholic beverages. When the body temperature drops below 102 degrees, dry off skin. Seek immediate medical attention and/or call 911 while doing the above.

If you feel any of the symptoms listed above, do NOT feel guilty! Inform your riding companions that you are having heat related problems and stop immediately. The overall point is to recognize these heat related problems and make every effort to reduce the body temperature. To ignore the signals your body is sending you is not only dangerous, it can be lethal!

In addition to watching for heat related symptoms and taking appropriate action, don’t forget about two basic preventive measures; take plenty of rest breaks and drink plenty of water. Just because you can ride “tank to tank”, doesn’t mean you have to. Stop, rest, cool off, drink some cool water, and (if you are so inclined) enjoy a piece of pie. But, at least stop and cool off. You will get to your destination almost as fast, in a whole lot better shape, and you will certainly enjoy the ride a lot more.

Another means of keeping cool is to wear something cool, such as a “cool tie” around your neck or some type of a “cool vest”. Simply cooling the neck cools the blood, which cools down the whole body.

I hope to see everyone down the road. I will be the guy, sitting in the shade, waving and drinking a cold bottle of water!

And, as always, always be watchful for the unwatchful . . . .

RSHF,
Chuck and Anne Reed
Georgia Senior District Educators