PLEASE Take care of yourself in the heat

[Mrs.Nightbreed]

   We went to Reddicck MX track for an event yesterday. After one of the late morning practice sessions I saw the guy on the dirtbike in the trailer across from us come off the track, put his bike on the stand, and sit down in the trailer in front of the fan. Next thing we know he passed out. He stopped breathing and his heart stopped. The medics were on the track not in the pits so it took a little bit for them to get to him. They immediately started CPR. With NO response.
    There was no ambulance present so it took what seemed like forever for one to get there. Probably 10-15 minutes. They kept doing  CPR until they got there to no avail. When the EMT's arrived they gave him an IV and used to defibulator(sp) on him. Still nothing. When they were taking him to the ambulance they were doing CPR still as they were running.
   We found out that it was HEAT STROKE! I found out today that he passed away. He was considered DOA at the hospital. they said he was probably dead the second he passed out. There was nothing anyone could have done.
     My point in posting this is that he was young and healthy and he died from the heat. Please, while you are out there on the trails or on the track drink LOTS of water and take care of yourself. It doesn't take a wreck to end up in the hospital or dead in this weather. Remember to pull off the track if you feel it getting to you, even if it means losing a lap. There is nothing to prove worth losing your life.

 

[grass-catcher]

Tragic,there no other way to put it.Heat stroke and exhaustion are
a factor anytime or place.I love work outside but last weekend I got
too hot and that  was it for me.Wasnt worth a darn the rest of the day.
Big straw hat and plenty of gatorade thats it.

[gery350]

man thats terrible. early 20's. thats why if you feel something aint right-then something aint right.  stop and keep the fluids going. we went out to seminole for the first time last week and it was 5 of us. we took 24 bottles waters, and 36 sodas, and within 5 hours we found the cooler empty. thats 12 drinks each.  it gets  hot out there and we prob. spent as much time in the pit area as we did on the track(cause of the heat). be careful and dont under estimate the power of the sun.

[Old_School]

Poor kid. My prayers are with his family. I got really bad one time when I used to play beach volleyball. I played 6 straight games and on the 7th I noticed I started to see a white haze (kinda what chlorine does to you swim for a long period of time) so I stopped playing grab my gatorade and stood under neath the shower for about 5 mins. I went home after that.  -Mark

[Grizzlygirl]

Very Sad, Just a note Caffiene from sodas dehydrates the body so its better not to drink them during the heat of the day. Stick to water or gatorade.
  Mama Grizz
  American red cross instructor of CPR & frist aid

[Moose]

Very Sad, Just a note Caffiene from sodas dehydrates the body so its better not to drink them during the heat of the day. Stick to water or gatorade.
  Mama Grizz
  American red cross instructor of CPR & frist aid

I feel bad for the family and friends, that's such a young age.

That's true, caffeine works agains't you. At work they told us to alternate water and gatorade, and a cold spot if you get hot, shower, AC, etc.

It's funny that back in 1973 they used to have salt tablets for us. As it turns out, they're not good for you either.

[gery350]

Very Sad, Just a note Caffiene from sodas dehydrates the body so its better not to drink them during the heat of the day. Stick to water or gatorade.
  Mama Grizz
  American red cross instructor of CPR & frist aid

thanks mamagrizz- ididnt know that. no more caffeine on them hot days.

[TRX350_On_The_Rack]

Very Sad, Just a note Caffiene from sodas dehydrates the body so its better not to drink them during the heat of the day. Stick to water or gatorade.
  Mama Grizz
  American red cross instructor of CPR & frist aid

I feel bad for the family and friends, that's such a young age.

That's true, caffeine works agains't you. At work they told us to alternate water and gatorade, and a cold spot if you get hot, shower, AC, etc.

It's funny that back in 1973 they used to have salt tablets for us. As it turns out, they're not good for you either.

Gatorade is essentially salt-water with some potassium. My dad use to give me teaspoon of salt in water when I got heat stroke as a kid. Worked great. Now a days I use Gatorade.

[trx#9]

that sucks, a wish there family well!

[Robert4570]

 My point in posting this is that he was young (early 20's) and healthy and he died from the heat. Please, while you are out there on the trails or on the track drink LOTS of water and take care of yourself. It doesn't take a wreck to end up in the hospital or dead in this weather. Remember to pull off the track if you feel it getting to you, even if it means losing a lap. There is nothing to prove worth losing your life.

 Sad news indeed and a reminder that heat stroke can happen to anyone . Its not just a problem for the elderly .
 .

[svtbolt04]

IMO gatorade is better for you if you are working alot and running or even exersizing. Because if you take in TOO much water, it will drain out your salt in your body. I read that in the boston marathon they were seeing ALOT of the runners passing out, and possibly dieing in the middle of a race because all of their intake was water. They sweat out all of their salt and somthing to do with the blood that clots up to your brain causing you to pass out or possibly die..

20 seems too young. Heck, even 60 seems too young for anyone to pass. But since he was closer to my age, and I am betting in alot better shape, my chances would have been greater than his. I know from now on, I will carry a camal back with me when I am running my practice in this heat. You are right. its not worth dieing over just to prove somthing.

[Nightbreed]

I just wanted to add to this, that we found out today, that he has left behind a wife and two children.

Please take care everyone, this could have been any of us!!!

Mike

[Honda328i]

That hits way to close to home.  So sad for his family.  Anything ATVFlorida can do for them Melissa if we can locate them?

I had a couple of lightheaded spells before, scary.  Now, next to my helmet, the camelback is the second piece of gear I don't ride without.  My wife got it for me, now I'll think of the family even more now when I use it.

Very tragic story, our thoughts and prayers go out for them.

[Nightbreed]

I will try and follow up on this unfortunate event. I am sure there will be a mx ride to help raise money for the family. I will post as soon as I know what is going on.

Mike

[AintSkeered]

You certainly should keep yourself hydrated, no question! And, when you feel thirsty or tired, fix it. However, we've no way of knowing this unfortunate young man's true health status, since young people are less likely to have physical examinations(until they don't feel well). There are many cases of undiagnosed heart disorders in seemingly-fit athletes and I'd bet he was one of those.

[qt314nfla]

For anyone that thinks they are immune to symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke don't fool yourself.

On our Eureka Dam ride this weekend about half of the group bailed out at the half way point and went back to camp.  When we finally got to our last stop, only 11 miles from the end of the tour several more bailed out.

There were many ppl feeling the effects of the heat.  Alot of headaches and ppl feeling a bit off.  Thank god ppl were smart enough to listen to their bodies and bail out.  Only a few actually made the entire ride.  Basically I think 3/4 of the group had to quit.  Not sure how many from heat exhaustion symptoms.

Be sure to take care of yourselves and your fellow riders.  Be sympathetic and understanding when they aren't doing well.  We all need to consider taking a first aid course if you aren't certified.  This weekend was an eye opener for me.

[susieblazer]

    We probably have a few who are CPR certified also.......I know dirtygrl80 is..................

[qt314nfla]

I am CPR certified and have been since I was 15.  But I've forgotten some of the first aid stuff.   Also, in the group we had at the lunch break I was the only person w/ a first aid kit.  If someone else had one they didn't let anyone know when it was needed for Donna.  Also, my kit was a basic kit for minor injuries.  We come across alot more than that if someone gets hurt on the trail.

There were a few ppl that helped Donna but it would be good if we had more ppl certified in first aid that know what they are doing for sure.  I will be more prepared should anything happen like this or worse again.

[backinsaddle]

Qt, I didn't even think to offer help with Donna.  I figured with all those people, you had everything you needed.  I had a few things in my first aid kit that may have helped, including some painkillers. 

[qt314nfla]

Backinsaddle,
It wasn't until you sent me a message that I realized that you were the one w/ all the first aid gear.  Had I realized that I'd have gone to you first.  I'll remember that should it ever happen next time.  I just know that we should all be a little more prepared.  It's not like the few that are kind of prepared are going to be on all the trips riding.
Doc

[CABLEGUY1]

Heat Stroke is often not thought of unless you have been through an episode before. I'm a supervisor for the installation dept at Bright House Networks which is a local cable company. During my employment with them I have seen several cases of heat exhaustion. As recent as Saturday we had to pick up an installer from a customers house and drive him home because he was disoriented and felt like throwing up. We provide free gatorade,ice and the coolers for our employees as well as presentations from the fire dept,and other EMS personell regarding the dangers and onset of this condition. None the less every year we still have a few installers and service techs that fall prey to it. Mama Grizz is correct, one of the worst things for you on a hot day is soda. I preach to my guys to drink water or gatorade while in route to there next job and before going into attics and also when exiting attics. I let them know that if they are in an attic for an extended period of time and they start feeling funny and or stop sweating they should take there razor knife and cut open the customers AC duct and as a last resort they should kick a hole in the ceiling to exit if they feel they can't make it to the attic opening. It sounds dramatic but it could be the difference of life and death. If you pass out up there you most likely won't make it out alive. I also tell them to get in there van and turn on the AC or sit on the shady side of the home and remove there shirt and spray the water hose in the air and sit under it. For those of you that don't know a few of the symptoms of heat stroke are weakness,dizziness,fast heart beat,nausea or vomiting and your skin is hot or you stop sweating. As much as I preach this at work I admit this ATV rider losing his life really caught me off guard. I for one will make sure all my friends and family I ride with will be fully hydrated during the day and some one will allways have spare water with them during a trail ride. Thanks Mellisa for your post.You may have saved someones life in the future and not even know it. I know you woke me up.             Keith.

[bigscrub79]

Heat exhaustion is very scary. i used to build roads, and one day i was working i started getting light headed so i headed to the truck to get some water. right when i opened the tail gate my heart started racing then it felt like it popped through my chest, everything turned white and i sat down as fast as i could. I got some water and poured it on my head as soon as i regained composure. It scared me to death and from that day on i always try to stay hydrated. It is nothing to mess around with.

[susieblazer]

   glad you do cuz it was fun this weekend , nice meeting you guys ...........