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Here's the problem:
Heat and humidity can be deadly combination
Hot, humid weather is more uncomfortable than hot, dry
weather because high humidity slows the evaporation of
sweat. Evaporation is nature's way of cooling. Hot, humid
weather is not only uncomfortable, it's dangerous to those
exercising in it. The table here shows how to find the
"apparent temperature," that is, how hot various
temperature-humidity combinations feel. For example, if the
temperature is 95 and the relative humidity is 50 percent,
find 95 in the temperature column on the left side, follow
that row to the right to the 50 percent humidity column. The
apparent temperature is 107. This falls into the "danger"
area where outdoor exercise isn't a wise idea. The colors on
the chart
show the level of danger of various combinations.
The dangers of heat and humidity
When heat and humidity combine to reduce the amount of
evaporation of sweat from the body, outdoor exercise becomes
dangerous even for those in good shape. Key rules for coping
with heat are to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
and to slow down and cool off when feeling fatigued, a
headache, a high pulse rate or shallow breathing.
Overheating can cause serious, even life-threatening
conditions such as heat stroke. The apparent temperature,
which combines the temperature and relative humidity, is a
guide to the danger. Below is the heat stress index based on
the apparent temperature.
Source: The USA TODAY Weather Book by Jack
Williams
| Category |
Apparent
Temperature |
General Effect |
| Extreme danger |
130 or higher |
Heatstroke/sunstroke highly likely |
| Danger |
105 - 130 |
Sunstroke, heat cramps or heat
exhaustion likely, and heatstroke possible with
prolonged exposure and/or physical activity |
| Extreme caution |
90 - 105 |
Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat
exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or
physical activity |
| Caution |
80 - 90 |
Fatigue possible with prolonged
exposure and/or physical activity |
Source : National Weather Service
Effects of heat illnesses:
- Heat cramps : Exercising in hot weather can
lead to muscle cramps, especially in the legs, because of
brief imbalances in body salts. Cramps become less
frequent as a person becomes used to the heat. Symptoms
and First Aid for Heat Cramps.
- Heat syncope or fainting:
Anyone not used to
exercising in the heat can experience a quick drop in
blood pressure that can lead to fainting. As with heat
cramps, the cure is to take it easy.
- Heat exhaustion :
Losing fluid and salt through
perspiration or replacing them in an imbalanced way can
lead to dizziness and weakness. Body temperature might
rise, but not above 102 degrees. In some cases victims,
especially the elderly, should be hospitalized. Heat
exhaustion is more likely after a few days of a heat wave
than when one is just beginning. The best defense is to
take it easy and drink plenty of water. Don't take salt
tablets without consulting a physician. Symptoms and
First Aid for Heat Exhaustion.
- Heatstroke :
In some cases extreme heat can
upset the body's thermostat, causing body temperature to
rise to 105 degrees or higher. Symptoms are lethargy,
confusion and unconsciousness. Even a suspicion that
someone might be suffering from heatstroke requires
immediate medical aid. Heatstroke can kill. Symptoms
and First Aid for Heatstroke.
Source: The USA TODAY Weather Book by Jack
Williams
Risk increases in low humidity, high temperature
conditions.
| |
Symptoms |
First-Aid |
| Heat Cramps |
Severe muscle spasms in the back,
stomach arms and legs, attributed to the loss of body
salt and water during periods of heavy perspiration. |
Move the victim to a cooler area, allow the victim
to drink approximately 6 ounces of water every 15
minutes, and follow up with a medical examination. |
| Heat Exhaustion |
Heavy sweating, cool pale skin,
nausea, headache, weakness, fast pulse, vomiting, and
normal temperature, which often occurs when perspiration
evaporates too slowly to properly cool the body. |
Move the victim to a cooler area, keep the victim
lying down with legs slightly elevated, cool the body by
fanning and applying cool wet towels, allow a conscious
victim to drink approximately 6 ounces of water every 15
minutes, and follow up with a medical examination. |
| Heat Stroke |
High body temperature, red and
often dry skin, rapid breathing and pulse, headache,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, disorganization,
confusion, or unconsciousness. |
Heat stroke is life threatening!
Move fast! If present, instruct a bystander to call an
ambulance, move the victim to a cooler area, remove
outer clothing and immerse the victim in cool water or
apply cool wet towels to the body, give no liquids, and
treat for shock until professional help arrives. |
Here's the deal:
- Its 100 degrees and 99.99 % humidity
- Right when you think it can't get any
more humid, it rains and It feels like the humidity
doubled.
What do you do?
- For the first few days the heat and
humidity will zap the energy right out of you. You will
drink a gallon or more of water a day. So think about
all the salts and minerals you are loosing by the cup
full. Its best if you drank some energy drink with the
water. The "Sports" type drink will help cover you in
your loss of electrolytes and salts. You can also try
salt tabs. See your doctor about what would be
appropriate
- If you plane stops in Pullcalpa on
the way to Iquitos you may end up sitting on the runway
for an hour waiting for the passengers to get on. You
will be sitting in an aluminum tube, on the equator, in
direct sunlight, with no air-conditioning. I have been
there, I was passing out because of the heat. Have some
water in your pack or with you at all times.
Rain.
- This is one place it can really rain.
Go native -get wet wait for the sun to come out- or you
can keep the rain fly from your hammock out. It can rain a
foot an hour. Nothing will keep you dry in those times. I
have seen the rain hit the ground and bounce up 3 feet. So
you just have to be prepared to get wet or find shelter in
a tree or a tent.
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Walking
The Trail in the Amazon
