Tips To Avoid Heat Stroke?

[theCryptofishist]

Irish decent here, and an Illinois flatlander and I've never had a problem in the Black Rock Desert.....and I do go out and explore during the day. A few tips: Acclimate to the dry conditions about 2 months before going. Although you may not realize it, you are probably dehydrated in normal life pretty often. A stress headache is most often due to poor hydration rather than stress. Start training yourself to drink a half gallon of water each day now, and a gallon of water each day by mid-July.

On the playa, before you have your morning coffee, chug 16 oz. of a weak electrolyte drink (watered down Gatorade or some such.) This makes your body better equipped to deal with the drying effects of caffeine.

All day guzzle water, not sips, good long pulls....even if you don't feel thirsty. If you feel thirsty you're in the first stages of dehydration. Save the alcohol for after the sun goes down.

Neutrogena makes a "Fresh Cooling Sunscreen (spf 45)" that really does cool the body. I used it my first year and loved it, and now I bring 2 extra bottles to use as a little gift spray for the sun slapped I run into on my travels.

Thanks for these great tips jcliff! Why are you recommending a watered down electrolyte instead of full strength? Just wondering.

Sugar is one reason. Too much and you can't absorb the elect--okay, I forget what the connection between sugar and electrolytes is, but I remember its being there.

[illy dilly]

Irish decent here, and an Illinois flatlander and I've never had a problem in the Black Rock Desert.....and I do go out and explore during the day. A few tips: Acclimate to the dry conditions about 2 months before going. Although you may not realize it, you are probably dehydrated in normal life pretty often. A stress headache is most often due to poor hydration rather than stress. Start training yourself to drink a half gallon of water each day now, and a gallon of water each day by mid-July.

On the playa, before you have your morning coffee, chug 16 oz. of a weak electrolyte drink (watered down Gatorade or some such.) This makes your body better equipped to deal with the drying effects of caffeine.

All day guzzle water, not sips, good long pulls....even if you don't feel thirsty. If you feel thirsty you're in the first stages of dehydration. Save the alcohol for after the sun goes down.

Neutrogena makes a "Fresh Cooling Sunscreen (spf 45)" that really does cool the body. I used it my first year and loved it, and now I bring 2 extra bottles to use as a little gift spray for the sun slapped I run into on my travels.

Thanks for these great tips jcliff! Why are you recommending a watered down electrolyte instead of full strength? Just wondering.

Sugar is one reason. Too much and you can't absorb the elect--okay, I forget what the connection between sugar and electrolytes is, but I remember its being there.

I could see that. I suppose 0 Calorie drinks would be better cause they'd be sugar free.

[Ugly Dougly]

Too much of even the good electrolytes can make you sick.
Most are pretty off from what they should be.

Cites? Thank you.

[C.f.M.]

I've been wondering what sort of electrolyte supplement to get, and I think I've decided on Vitalyte

http://playabound.wordpress.com/

The next post is also a bit about which one to get.


...RE sugars, glucose is good, body can digest it or something...

[gyre]

Probably a salt issue.

If you're sick and not eating, I was told to drink as much as I wanted.


The dpw uses cirrus.
It's supposed to be a good mix.

[CapSmashy]

If you are properly hydrated and have a good electrolyte balance, you can avoid most internal heat related issues, such as heat exhaustion. I had been using Gatorade my first few trips out and last year we switched over to Cerasport EX1 drink boxes.

It was a night and day difference in terms of clearing up early dehydration signals. Headache, crankiness, lethargic etc. Pull a juice box out of the cooler and slam it down and in a manner of a few minutes, you'd feel 100% better.

Our routine was suck one down every morning with breakfast and suck one down prior to going out and about. Rest of the time, we used a 50/50 mix of gatorade and water in the camel backs to suck on the rest of the day.

For fair skin, in addition to parasols, broad brim hats etc, I highly recommend long sleeve shirts with a high SPF weave. I like the Columbia knock off brand they sell at Academy (Magellan). Look in the fishing section in clothing. Most of mine have an spf of 50. In addition to blocking the sun, long sleeve, breathable fabrics will also keep you cooler than bare skin in direct sunlight and the heat. The fabric augments your natural cooling system by prolonging the evaporative process.

[Ugly Dougly]

What's Cirrus?

Here's Zym:
http://gozym.com/

[CapSmashy]

I think he meant Cera

http://www.ceraproductsinc.com/productl ... sport.html

[gyre]

Sorry, I've seen coolers labeled cirrus for years.
I think it is cerasport, probably the exi.
The one used at burning man wasn't available in the past to the public, but I think that changed a year ago.
It was used for refugee camps, the military and the playa.

The flavor on the playa is yellow.

[Dr Jet Sinister]

Best playa hat evah!
http://realdealbrazil.com/

[gyre]

Best playa hat evah!

If they don't tie down, they won't work out there.

[Dr Jet Sinister]

Best playa hat evah!

If they don't tie down, they won't work out there.

I put a string through the vent holes on mine (a shoelace), but the fit was so great I rarely used it. The hat is incredible even if you have to add a string.

[AntiM]

I like fishing hats called breezers:

http://tinyurl.com/y6xpkxb

[Rommel]

[quote="AntiM"]I like fishing hats called breezers:

[url]http://tinyurl.com/y6xpkxb[/url][/quote]


OR (Outdoor Research) makes some of the best headgear, and they
have a number of hat's designed for the heat and sun. I suggest
campmor.com, as they have the best prices:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Sub ... _200368674

Their Seattle Sombrero is my favorite, and I wear it all year.
It has a Gortex liner and allows the heat to escape while protecting
you melon from the elements. They have a number of good hat's,
but remember... the they have screened sides, or other opening,
the top of your head will collect dust...

My wife likes the: Outdoor Research Woman's Solar Roller Hat.
It's UPF 30+, has a great chin cord, and is only $27.00. They make
their hat's to last... I have mine for more than ten years, and it's as
good as new.

See you in dust!

Rommel
Gigsville-Lahontan Korps

[ygmir]

I'd love to find a big ole cowboy hat, like the Duke wore in "The Searchers". super wide brim........like 6" or better.

[gyre]

I found some good quality south american hats, including one superior to the panama.
Unfortunately very costly when they get here.
Supposed to last forever, even in dry conditions though.
I have an excellent caribbean hat, but it isn't stiff enough for the wind out there.
A wide brim does work.

I use a wide hat from campmor.
Avoid mesh.
Lets in too much UV.
Doesn't help with heat out there.
Just makes it worse letting in heat.

This hat is actually designed for desert sun.
Works.
Protects your ears and neck, unlike most.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___14695


http://www.campmor.com/outerwear/access ... ar-7.shtml

[Ugly Dougly]

Sorry, I've seen coolers labeled cirrus for years.
I think it is cerasport, probably the exi.
The one used at burning man wasn't available in the past to the public, but I think that changed a year ago.
It was used for refugee camps, the military and the playa.

The flavor on the playa is yellow.

Hard to understand people when they have cottonmouth.

[Ugly Dougly]

I like this species of hat:



Sombreros and 10-gal hats tend to get grabbed by the wind.

[Rommel]

[quote="Ugly Dougly"]I like this species of hat:

[img]http://www.injinjistore.com/images/dsrt_lrg_hat.jpg[/img]

Sombreros and 10-gal hats tend to get grabbed by the wind.[/quote]

I've never had that problem with the OR Seattle Sombrero, if anything
it will fold up to the sides, and be grabbed by the Velcro.

http://www.campmor.com/wcsstore/Campmor ... 93_kha.jpg

With a shaved head, having a hat the breathes; (Gortex) moisture exits,
and doesn't enter is a great option.

[CapSmashy]

I tend to wear shemaghs the whole time during the day. When its pulled up over the mouth it works as an excellent dust mask (for those that aren't too adversely affected by the dust). They are made of cotton so they do a decent job of wicking away the sweat and as it evaporates make for a nice evaporative cooling effect. If its really hot, you can dunk them in cooler water and tie it back on and it keeps your head nice and cool for quite awhile.

They'll never blow off your head and they keep your ears and the back of your neck out of the sun.

At night, they'll double as a lightweight shawl or scarf to keep your neck warm.

I have found them in a number of fun fashion colors as well. There's the drab military colored ones, but I also have them in blue, red and purple. I've seen them in pink, yellow, green, etc.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OrxtMTy7SY[/youtube]

[Ugly Dougly]

I was a raghead in 2009. In 96 I wore the desert hat above with a shemagh for windstorms. And Gargoyles.

(Funny seeing that military cracker showing us how to be a "dipe". Is he going to face Mecca and pray next? )

[gyre]

Note that they have an unsugared cerasport.

[Ugly Dougly]

Note that they have an unsugared cerasport.

Maybe without "evaporated cane juice". Rice syrup is 45% maltose, 3% glucose, and 52% maltotriose. The intent is to provide short, medium, long and very long chains of carbohydrate. Should keep you from bonking too badly and lashing out at your Significant Other.

[gyre]

Maybe without "evaporated cane juice". Rice syrup is 45% maltose, 3% glucose, and 52% maltotriose.

Why! do you know this?


Ola loa says their version is far superior to Cera.
Comes at a superior price too.

Their advice about my vitamin D prescription has been useful, and may have saved me from side effects and some serious long term consequences.
I changed to large daily D3 from the prescribed massive D2.
After some discussion, my doctors signed off on it.

[Ugly Dougly]

I just made it up!

No really, it's on Wikipedia about Rice Syrup and on the Cera website.

[Badawg]

This helps with dehydration:

Switchel
* 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (yes vinegar)
* 1/4 cup molasses
* 1/2 cup sugar or honey
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
* 1/2 cup oatmeal (optional)
* tap water to make 2 quarts

This is a very old recipe, imported from our Yankee neighbors to the north, and before that, from Nova Scotia. Did you ever wonder what folks used to drink in the days before soda pop, and when lemons were out of season? Why Switchel of course. Instead of lemon juice, it uses a tangy combination of flavorful apple cider vinegar, molasses and ginger to make a summertime treat which will whet your whistle better than any modern thirst quencher I’ve ever run across.

Also, Dill pickle juice and Vodka. It's amazing how good that can be...

[Ugly Dougly]

I have heard of this and I want to try it. Maybe the molasses can be subbed with honey? Thanks!

[EmilyD]

I just found this at the health food store. Anyone used it before? It doesn't taste too bad and has less sugar than some of the others.

http://www.vitalah.com/images/OxylentSF.jpg

[gyre]

I have heard of this and I want to try it. Maybe the molasses can be subbed with honey? Thanks!

There is no substitute for sorghum molasses, if that is what the recipe means.
I can help you find it if you live in a deprived area.

[Ugly Dougly]

Molasses can be from any mole at all, including Organic Cane Sugar!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchel

Switchel, also switzel, swizzle, ginger-water haymaker's punch or switchy, is a drink made of water mixed with vinegar, and often seasoned with ginger. Honey, sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup were sometimes used to sweeten the drink instead of molasses. In the U.S. state of Vermont, oatmeal and lemon juice were sometimes added to the beverage.

It's in Wikipedia, therefore true!!