Tips to staying cool and hydrated in this heat
Posted:
Post at
07-21-2022 (2 years ago)
Tips to staying cool and hydrated in this heat
- Keep a frozen water bottle on you: Make sure you freeze it right by leaving a bit of space for the water to expand into though, or you get a messy freezer. With 40-50ºC across all of Europe, the water will melt gradually throughout the day and provide you with a cool source of hydration.
- Stay in the shade: It sounds basic, but being in the shade can mean that you're actually 10-15ºC cooler. It also means that you're not exposed to direct sunlight, limiting water loss through sweat. An umbrella can serve as mobile shade
- Sunblock: Sunblock above SPF 35 is almost mandatory.
- Remember that your body can lose more water in hot environments through sweating than through urinating: Some people don't know this, so here it is.
- Always assume you are more dehydrated than you feel: Even if you feel fine, have a gulp.
- Stay in crowded areas or travel in a group: Aim to stay in sight of others: If you pass out from heat exhaustion, others will see you and call for help. If you're traveling somewhere (especially by car), invite a friend along so you can keep an eye on each other.
- Careful when in the metro: Heat exhaustion hits hard and incredibly fast.
- If you don't have air conditioning, create a breeze by opening windows in opposing sides of your house
- Be on the lookout for others: If you see someone walk funny, with their mouth open or with their eyes droopy, check up on them and see how they're doing. If you sense that there's something wrong, don't hesitate to call the emergency services. Some countries have also been placing standby ambulances in major public gathering areas so these may also be an option.
- Cover Windows: if you don't have AC, a surprising trick that works is to open windows or glass doors but cover them with curtains, blinds, whatever. The amount of (radiated) heat this removes without affecting airflow is incredible. It is even more useful when leaving the house.
- Insulated Drinks: it may seem obvious in hindsight - like many of these tips - but you will drink more if your drink is cold in hot weather. Insulated bottles, e.g. the super effective and one-handed convenient ones, more or less guarantee you will keep drinking even before you need to for the double effect of hydration and cooling. When you run out of a cold drink, at least if you refill it will not get any warmer than from the tap.
- Water Towel Behind Neck: if you get really desperate or if you will be sitting in a hot room full of PCs for much longer than you'd like, wetting a towel and putting it behind your neck will work wonders to keep you cool.
Here's the most common symptoms of Heat Exhaustion:
Confusion, Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration), Dizziness, Fainting, Fatigue, Headache, Muscle or abdominal cramps, Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, Pale skin, Profuse sweating and a Rapid heartbeat
Feel free to share any tips and tricks that you might have for staying cool in this thread. Stay safe!
Please login to comment.
