What Steps Can You Take?
What steps can you take to head off heat-related problems while riding?
First and foremost, drink plenty of water.
What steps can you take to head off heat-related problems while riding?
First and foremost, drink plenty of water.
| . |
| . |
| . |
Dehydration
Southern Cruisers Riding Club
Star City Chapter 32
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Roanoke, Virginia
| SAFETY TIP |
Borrowed from the: Boise Valley Riders
The warning signs of impending disaster
Perhaps you don't consider yourself an athlete when you're riding your motorcycle on the road. But in intense
hot weather, you should. Think about it. When the summer turns really steamy, the folks in cars all have their
windows rolled up and the AC on max, while you swelter inside your armored clothes. So even if you couldn't do
a Marine push-up if your life depended on it, that puts you in a category with others who need to manage their
body temperature in the face of extreme conditions - people like runners, bicyclists and triathletes.
A long, hot day on the bike can raise the real possibility of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
And the worst part is that these heat-related conditions don't just make you uncomfortable;
they can make you downright dangerous.
Perhaps you don't consider yourself an athlete when you're riding your motorcycle on the road. But in intense
hot weather, you should. Think about it. When the summer turns really steamy, the folks in cars all have their
windows rolled up and the AC on max, while you swelter inside your armored clothes. So even if you couldn't do
a Marine push-up if your life depended on it, that puts you in a category with others who need to manage their
body temperature in the face of extreme conditions - people like runners, bicyclists and triathletes.
A long, hot day on the bike can raise the real possibility of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
And the worst part is that these heat-related conditions don't just make you uncomfortable;
they can make you downright dangerous.
Even before you realize you have a problem, mild dehydration can reduce your coordination and impair your judgment,
exactly what you don't need when you're trying to stay alive in traffic. But if it gets beyond that stage, the hazards quickly
increase. That makes it imperative that you carefully monitor yourself for signs of trouble and, like an athlete, head off
potential problems before they come up. Here's what to look for:
exactly what you don't need when you're trying to stay alive in traffic. But if it gets beyond that stage, the hazards quickly
increase. That makes it imperative that you carefully monitor yourself for signs of trouble and, like an athlete, head off
potential problems before they come up. Here's what to look for:
Dehydration
Simply put, you suffer dehydration when your body loses water and
blood salts faster than you replenish them. You may think you'll feel
thirsty long before you face any danger, but that's not necessarily
true. In extreme conditions, you can lose moisture so quickly that
you become dehydrated before you even notice a problem.
Symptoms of mild dehydration include a flushed face, dry and warm
skin, dizziness, weakness, cramping in the arms and legs, headache
and dry mouth. If you notice any or all of these, don't ignore them -
it just gets worse.
Simply put, you suffer dehydration when your body loses water and
blood salts faster than you replenish them. You may think you'll feel
thirsty long before you face any danger, but that's not necessarily
true. In extreme conditions, you can lose moisture so quickly that
you become dehydrated before you even notice a problem.
Symptoms of mild dehydration include a flushed face, dry and warm
skin, dizziness, weakness, cramping in the arms and legs, headache
and dry mouth. If you notice any or all of these, don't ignore them -
it just gets worse.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion follows dehydration and can hit you even if
you drink water after becoming dehydrated. That's because
the symptoms of heat exhaustion are brought on primarily by
the loss of the blood salts. And while water can supply the fluid
you need, it doesn't replace those salts. Surprisingly, your
body temperature can be normal even while you're suffering
from heat exhaustion. Symptoms include pale skin, profuse
sweating, weakness, fatigue, nausea and light-headedness.
By itself, heat exhaustion isn't life-threatening, but it can lead
to heat stroke, which is.
Heat exhaustion follows dehydration and can hit you even if
you drink water after becoming dehydrated. That's because
the symptoms of heat exhaustion are brought on primarily by
the loss of the blood salts. And while water can supply the fluid
you need, it doesn't replace those salts. Surprisingly, your
body temperature can be normal even while you're suffering
from heat exhaustion. Symptoms include pale skin, profuse
sweating, weakness, fatigue, nausea and light-headedness.
By itself, heat exhaustion isn't life-threatening, but it can lead
to heat stroke, which is.
| . |
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is basically severe dehydration. It means your body's cooling
functions have failed and your temperature is out of control. How bad can it be?
Imagine running a liquid-cooled bike with no water in the radiator. How long do
you think the engine would last? Like that motorcycle, you're literally on the clock
when you go into heat stroke. Without emergency care, you could die within 30
minutes.
Heat stroke is basically severe dehydration. It means your body's cooling
functions have failed and your temperature is out of control. How bad can it be?
Imagine running a liquid-cooled bike with no water in the radiator. How long do
you think the engine would last? Like that motorcycle, you're literally on the clock
when you go into heat stroke. Without emergency care, you could die within 30
minutes.
What are the signs of heat stroke?
Sweating stops, and the skin becomes dry and hot. You may
have a headache, and your body temperature can quickly
spike to 106 degrees or more. Other symptoms include
being confused or angry, or acting strangely. You may
experience severe nausea, dizziness and even feel chilled.
In extreme cases, you may pass out and stop breathing.
Sweating stops, and the skin becomes dry and hot. You may
have a headache, and your body temperature can quickly
spike to 106 degrees or more. Other symptoms include
being confused or angry, or acting strangely. You may
experience severe nausea, dizziness and even feel chilled.
In extreme cases, you may pass out and stop breathing.
Get out on the road early so you reach your destination before the worst heat of the afternoon. Take extra breaks to cool down. And rather than
eating a couple of big meals during the day, snack lightly and often, making sure you include some salty foods in the mix. Finally, try to wear
clothing that lets the sweat evaporate off your skin. A set of sealed-up black leathers can turn into a sauna suit under a hot sun, so look for jackets
with plenty of venting, and lighter colors that don't absorb so much of the sun's energy. One of the worst things you can do is riding wearing only a
T-shirt or shorts. Not only is it unsafe in case of an accident, but exposed skin wicks away even more moisture, and encourages sunburn. You can
also help wick away heat by soaking layers of clothing in water at each rest stop. A wet bandanna tied around your neck, or even a soaked T-shirt
under your jacket can help you shed heat for miles down the road.
eating a couple of big meals during the day, snack lightly and often, making sure you include some salty foods in the mix. Finally, try to wear
clothing that lets the sweat evaporate off your skin. A set of sealed-up black leathers can turn into a sauna suit under a hot sun, so look for jackets
with plenty of venting, and lighter colors that don't absorb so much of the sun's energy. One of the worst things you can do is riding wearing only a
T-shirt or shorts. Not only is it unsafe in case of an accident, but exposed skin wicks away even more moisture, and encourages sunburn. You can
also help wick away heat by soaking layers of clothing in water at each rest stop. A wet bandanna tied around your neck, or even a soaked T-shirt
under your jacket can help you shed heat for miles down the road.
Most people lose about a gallon of water a day just carrying on their normal lives. So you can imagine how much water you
lose riding on a hot day. Start adding extra water even before you head out on the road, and keep drinking water all day.
The simplest way to tell if you're getting enough fluids is the bathroom test. If you don't need to make a bathroom stop
every few hours, you're headed for trouble.
lose riding on a hot day. Start adding extra water even before you head out on the road, and keep drinking water all day.
The simplest way to tell if you're getting enough fluids is the bathroom test. If you don't need to make a bathroom stop
every few hours, you're headed for trouble.
Of course, water's good, but it won't replace those vital body salts.
For that, you might want a specialized sports drink. Perhaps you've
always walked by that aisle in the convenience store, figuring those
things were strictly for athletes. Well, remember what we said about
motorcyclists being like athletes in hot weather? This is where it starts.
Drink early and often, whether you're thirsty or not. The worst that will
happen is you'll have to take an extra bathroom break or two, which is a
whole lot better than the alternative.
For that, you might want a specialized sports drink. Perhaps you've
always walked by that aisle in the convenience store, figuring those
things were strictly for athletes. Well, remember what we said about
motorcyclists being like athletes in hot weather? This is where it starts.
Drink early and often, whether you're thirsty or not. The worst that will
happen is you'll have to take an extra bathroom break or two, which is a
whole lot better than the alternative.
If you know you're facing a hot day
on the road, there are other steps
you can take to head off problems.
on the road, there are other steps
you can take to head off problems.
What Should You Do?
What should you do if you recognize symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke in yourself or a riding partner?
For mild dehydration or heat exhaustion, first get out of the sun, take off any heavy clothing like riding jackets or pants, and try to cool off by
fanning or wiping a wet bandanna on the skin. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie on your back and raise your legs about 6 or 8 inches so they're
above the heart. If your stomach is queasy, lie on your side. Also, drink cool water, but don't gulp it. Drinking a small cup of water or sports drink
every 15 minutes should do it. If you don't have a sports drink available, you can add a teaspoon of salt to a quart of water and then drink that
combination over about an hour. And yes, pretzels, chips or other salty snacks can help, too.
What should you do if you recognize symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke in yourself or a riding partner?
For mild dehydration or heat exhaustion, first get out of the sun, take off any heavy clothing like riding jackets or pants, and try to cool off by
fanning or wiping a wet bandanna on the skin. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie on your back and raise your legs about 6 or 8 inches so they're
above the heart. If your stomach is queasy, lie on your side. Also, drink cool water, but don't gulp it. Drinking a small cup of water or sports drink
every 15 minutes should do it. If you don't have a sports drink available, you can add a teaspoon of salt to a quart of water and then drink that
combination over about an hour. And yes, pretzels, chips or other salty snacks can help, too.
All of that can help, but it is possible that you'll need more treatment than you can administer at a rest
stop. If the condition doesn't improve quickly, it's time to call 911 for emergency help. If you suspect
that a riding companion is going into heat stroke, call for assistance first. Then, if ice is available, put
together some ice packs and place them in the armpits and groin area to help bring the body
temperature down. Remember, the clock is running and you need to act quickly to head off disaster.
stop. If the condition doesn't improve quickly, it's time to call 911 for emergency help. If you suspect
that a riding companion is going into heat stroke, call for assistance first. Then, if ice is available, put
together some ice packs and place them in the armpits and groin area to help bring the body
temperature down. Remember, the clock is running and you need to act quickly to head off disaster.