Well it is Friday once agian everyone and time for another article from World Class Whitetails. With the sun out and shining and a beautiful weekend ahead I thought the following article was fitting for those of us who love the outdoors. Sometimes we forget about the dangers of just staying outside in the sun, so this article should help refresh our memories.
Keep looking for ranch updates, they are coming next week, that is a guarantee!
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-Justin
World Class Whitetails of Ohio
Summer Sun Injuries
By: Gary L. Benton
There is nothing more enjoyable than a fun filled day in the sun! Those of us who live in the United States are lucky to have as much excellent weather as we do. Our weather allows us to spend many summer hours fishing, hunting, hiking or camping, knowing that most of the days will be warm and filled with sunshine. While our summers are excellent for outdoor activities, we should all be aware of some of the dangers associated with too much sunshine; sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Now, I realize most of you have had some experience with sunburns, but how much do we really know about heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Let’s look at sunburns first, then we’ll discuss heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Sunburn is simply overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and these rays can cause both temporary (a slight burn) and long-term (including cancer) damage to our skin. While our society identifies those individuals with a nice dark tan as being healthy, that perception is not accurate. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays actually causes, besides the danger of cancer, premature aging of our skin. So, we may look good and healthy now, but in a few years we will begin to pay for our tan by looking older.
Children, especially infants, are very susceptible to sunburn. Also, those people with light or fair skin will usually burn before they tan, if the skin is not protected with sunscreen. Keep in mind, even those folks with darker skin can be sunburned, if the exposed skin is not protected. So, what I am saying in a nutshell is all of us can suffer from sunburn under the right conditions, if we are not protected from the sun’s rays.
Most sunburn will result in a red and tender skin that may be painful to the touch. Sunburn usually occurs because we fail to cover exposed skin due to the temperature, humidity, and heat when we are outdoors (or perhaps a lack of knowledge or concern about sunburns). When the weather is very hot and we go outdoors we may just put on a tank top and a  pair of shorts, increasing the risk of sunburn (exposed skin). And, at times, we may forget the sunscreen or just decide we don’t need it. Also, keep in mind that most sunburn will happen between ten in the morning and two in the afternoon, because that is when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest. Additionally, reflection from water, sand, or any light colored surface can cause sunburn as well. That is why fishermen are often burned after a day on the water.
All of us at one time or another have experienced a minor sunburn, with the red, tender skin that feels hot to the touch. Usually, after just a few days, the discomfort disappears and we are back to normal again with no grave side affects. In more severe cases, blisters can develop and even “sun poisoning” (rash, chills, and nausea) can occur. In most cases we will lose a layer of skin that will peel off a few days after the burn. Additionally, some medications such as doxycycline can actually increase your chances of getting sunburned. Ask your doctor about any medications you may be taking prior to heading outdoors this summer.
If you experience a sunburn, how do you teat it? Well, first let’s look at what you should not do. Do not wash the area with a strong soap, or apply petroleum jelly, benzocaine, butter, or rubbing alcohol. These products can actually make your condition worse and prevent a normal healing time. You should take a cool shower or bath, apply a body lotion to the damaged area (Aloe gel is great for this). If you do not have a lotion on hand, you can add baking soda to your bath water to help relieve the discomfort. Also, the typical use of common pain relievers, such as Tylenol or Motrin, may help reduce the minor aches and pains associated with most sunburn
If the sunburn victim experiences dizziness, rapid pulse, pale, cool, or clammy skin, nausea, chills, rash, or fever, seek medical attention immediately. Other symptoms to watch for are if the victims eyes hurt or are sensitive to light, extreme thirst with very little or no urine output or appears to have sunken eyes. These may be signs of other heat and sun related injuries such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke (we’ll over those in a minute). In case of any of these symptoms see a doctor as soon as possible.
Well, now that we have a better understanding of the dangers associated with the sun, how do we prevent the injury in the first place?
· Always use sunscreen and lip balm.
· When in the sun, wear a hat or ball cap to protect your eyes and face.
· Make sure your sunglasses have UV protection for your eyes.
· Avoid exposure to the sun between 10 am and 2 pm. Remember, that is the peak time for UV rays.
· Apply your sunscreen about 30 minutes before exposure to allow it time to be absorbed by your skin. Reapply the sunscreen after you have been swimming or about every 2 hours.
· The sunscreen you use should be rated at least 30 SPF (Sun protection factor).
· The higher the SPF the more protection it gives you.
· Pay close attention to nose, ears, neck and shoulders, and face when applying the sunscreen, to get maximum protection.
The other sun related dangers (heat exhaustion and heat stroke) associated with being outdoors can be much more frightening for the average person to experience first hand and treat, because of the victim’s reaction to the injuries is more physically severe. Additionally, keep in mind that both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very serious (heat stroke can actually cause death) sun related injures.
A few years ago I was watching an older man of about fifty as he stumbled along the bank of a stream, fishing pole in his right hand, when suddenly he collapsed in a heap. His face was red and dry as he immediately started vomiting. I learned later he had been fishing since early morning and had not taken any water with him. The high heat and humidity had claimed another victim. Can you imagine his chances of surviving if he had been in a remote survival situation or all alone? Since he had experienced heat stroke, he most likely he would not have made it if he had been alone. It this case though, he was given first aid, an ambulance was called, and he was transported to a nearby hospital. He survived. Heat related injuries can happen to all of us, regardless of our age.
Most of us who live in the United States are used to the high temperatures associated with the dog days of summer or at least we know about them. The temperature rises, the wind quits blowing, and the humidity gets higher than normal. Outdoors things seem to just simmer in the heat. In the days of old, life almost came to a complete standstill as animals and people quit moving completely. Anything with a brain would be seeking shade and cooler temperatures. Well, that is no longer the case since the invention of air conditioners (for both homes and vehicles). Most Americans don’t even slow down much now, when compared to the past. However, we should, because heat related injuries can very well be fatal.
When compared to sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are much more dangerous for the victim. Let’s look at the most common heat related injury, heat exhaustion. This injury results from prolonged exposure or high physical activity during high temperatures. Additionally, high humidity makes us more susceptible. I saw many men and woman pass out during physical training or parades when I was in the military due to heat exhaustion (that’s why all the instructors made us drink a lot of water) and an ambulance was always kept near the parade grounds. When you combine high heat, high humidity, with low body fluids, heat exhaustion will occur. You can reduce the risk of heat exhaustion by staying in the shade as much as possible, traveling very little during the heat of the day, and drinking lots of water (water is usually not hard to find in the United States, even in a survival situation, but make sure you purify if before drinking). Well, we know what causes it and how to avoid it, how do you recognize it?
· Weakness or dizziness
· Nausea and perhaps vomiting
· Clammy or pale skin
· Perspiration on the face and forehead
· Rapid breathing
Heat exhaustion is easy to treat, but a frightening experience for most of us. The victim should be moved to a shady area, if possible. Treat the victim for shock, give small sips of cool water (if available), remove as much clothing as possible, and sponge the body with tepid water. Usually the injured person will be up and about in little time. However, if the person does not seem to “bounce back” seek medical attention immediately. You may have a person experiencing a heat stroke.
A heat stroke is caused by overexposure to the sun, high humidity, heat, all combined with a high body temperature. This situation can be life threatening if not treated immediately. The victim may have,
· A high body temperature
· Hot and flushed skin
· Red and perhaps dry skin
· Restless or bizarre behavior
· Complain of a severe headache, having vomiting, or nausea
· If not treated, the individual will eventually lose consciousness
 With heat stroke, move the person to a cool and shady place (out of the sun if possible), check for breathing and pulse (use CPR if needed). You should place cool compresses around the persons head, sides of the chest, and armpits. If you have ice, use it to make the compresses and add a compress to the groin area. You should remove as much clothing as you can and fan the person, by hand if necessary. If the person is conscious and not vomiting or nauseated, you can give them small sips of cool water. In all cases of heat stroke immediately seek medical treatment if possible.
So, we have discussed the two most common heat related injuries, how do you prevent them?
First, do not stay exposed to the sun and heat any longer than you have to (seek shade as often as you can). Keep your head (hat) and body (sleeves and pant legs down) covered from direct sunlight. The Arabs have the right idea with the loose and flowing style of clothing they wear because it protects their whole bodies from the sun and heat.
In a survival situation, move to a shady area and do your work at night, after the sun goes down. It will be cooler and you will sweat less, which will assist you in retaining body fluids. If you have it available, drink more water than you usually would.
Also, when you urinate, check the color of your urine. Dark colored urine indicates you need to increase your water intake (dehydration is happening). Many survival professionals recommend that you have at least one-quart of water for every two lost. If a person experiencing heat stroke is conscious, not vomiting, or nauseated, you can give them small sips of cool water. But, remember, less fluid will NOT result in less sweat! In extreme heat, you may not even feel yourself sweat because the sweat evaporations very quickly. Always be on the look out for sources of additional water, but avoid alcohol or caffeine, both will dehydrate you. And, purify all water that you suspect is unsafe with water purification tablets or by boiling.
Each year in the United States thousands of us will be sunburned. Most of us will simply suffer the minor discomforts associated with the injury and go on. But, how many new cases of skin cancer will result in future years? Then again, how many of us will visit emergency rooms for treatment of heat exhaustion or heat stroke? I suggest these three injuries not have to happen. Use common sense in the outdoors, always protect yourself from over exposure, use sunscreen, drink lots of water, and most importantly, enjoy your summer!
This article is not meant to replace medical knowledge or expertise. It is provided to the reader only as a guide. The author has prepared it to best of his ability from training received from the US military and American Red Cross. When in doubt about any medical emergency, always seek medical attention immediately.
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