Heat Exhaustion

[PotomacDaysailer]

I am a bit reluctant to reveal my lack of good sense, but my experience may serve as a timely warning (more for small boat sailors than cruisers with cabins, refrigerators, engines, and bimini tops).

I have a little 16' dinghy which I take out as often as I can. Last Friday after work I drove down and got the boat rigged and ready to launch, and left it parked at the marina, intending to beat the heat on Saturday, with an expected high of 101 and excessive heat warnings issued by the NWS.

Well, I got out on the water by 7 on Saturday, which was good, but didn't bring water to drink, which was a BIG mistake. I meant to bring some, but forgot and when I remembered, didn't want to sacrifice an hour of the relative coolness to make a run.

Second mistake - started out upwind, which was not a bad thing in itself, but since the wind was in the SSW it meant that on the way back, running downwind, not only was the apparent breeze dead (and what there was was like the breath from a blast furnace) but the cockpit and was open to the full midday sun.

Third mistake - stayed out too long, and got too far from the dock. I didn't turn back until 10, and by then I was about nine miles (as the crow flies) from the dock, with the breeze dying.

By the time I got back to the dock, 1:30 or so, it was over 100 and I was in serious trouble, with cramps, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and nausea. I barely managed to tie up and get up to the marina store without passing out. I sat in the A/C and drank Gatorade to recover, and took it real easy unrigging the boat.

Morals of the story - ALWAYS take water or Gatorade, and consider staying home if there are "excessive heat" warnings (but I do so hate to give up sailing time!).

 

[kloudie1]

Good that ya made it back OK !
That is a constant hazard here sneaks up on ya
.. I always carry GatorAde and ice and water.. even for a short trip .. ya never really know how soon you'll be out of the sun.. Again, good that you made t back OK

 

[Ross]

I freeze water in 20 ounce coke bottles and put them in a cooler(insulated lunch box type) when I am working on a job in this weather. A straw hat and a light well worn cotton long sleeve shirt, woven not knit, if I am to be in the sun.
I just don't go out on the boat in this heat.

 

[All U Get]

You guys are right on. I try to keep to a two water to one sport drink ratio. You know you're bad off if you throw up the stuff you just drank. We just decided to make a awning for the cockpit, what a summer.
All U Get

 

[Tom Hoffman]

I can relate to the almost passing out. weekend before last we took our boat to the Marina and tried to rig in 90+ heat and same humidity. We were drinking liberally of water and diet soda. All most passed out myself.

Prior to going up to the river to sail, my made us a canopy to go over the boom, so we would have some shade when we were at anchor or in the marina.

We just went to the sewing store and bought inexpensive rip stop nylon for the fabric and some grommets we made it 10' long and 12' wide. She made tubes on each edge and down the middle from side to side. I got some fiberglass tent poles that snap together using a bungee cord down the middle from the Coleman website. 150" poles were about $7 each. We made pockets out of nylon webbing strap for each end and sewed in a ring on the edge of each corner and the middle of all 4 sides.

With the corner and side rings attached by shakles to the safety lines, we have an arching canopy that goes over the boom and gives lots of head room and nice shade. You have to attach the other rings at the top of the arch to the back stay and the mast and it is strong and tight. Also very light. Of course you can't sail with it up but oh' well.

Tom...

 

[shemandr]

I had a milder episode. All afternoon on the boat, stayed over on a steamy night with little wind, raced the next day with heat, humidity, light wind and sun, and at the after race get together, I was light headed and just couldn't cool off. Several ice cold Icetea's didn't help very much. It took a long time to cool off and feel better. It didn't help that I turned off the A/C at home and went home to a hot apartment.
It's a hot summer! Be careful out there.

 

[rb437]

$10 shower curtain

Here's what you can do with a couple of fiberglass tent poles and a $10 shower curtain.

 

[themadscientist]

Glad you got back in time. I am very worried about this when I take my new dinghy out. I will be sailing solo as well. There is no cover on it either and I am rounding up serious sun-protective clothing. After reading this I think coming up with a canopy might be advisable.

 

[Ross]

I have been there and done that and a cold shower is the best way to cool down.

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

I have been there and done that and a cold shower is the best way to cool down.

Yeah, my truck's A/C doesn't work, so after the drive home I took a nice long cool shower - what a luxury!

 

[timebandit]

[SIZE=+1]Dorfman - "Weathered Cotton Boonie [/SIZE]

This is one type of had that will help in hot weather much better than a ball cap.

It should be dark under the brim to help with glare.

You can wet it and it will cool you down.

Another thing to keep you cool is a bandana wet and tied around your neck.

I guess you could go for a swim instead of waiting untill you get home.

Cold drinks take longer for the body to use than warm.

Bottle water with a little Country Time Lemonade mix tastes better than just water and you can also get powered gatorade to keep on board.

Don't waste your money on dehydrated water tho---

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

Been there, done that too! Only once went out without enough to drink, though.
I'm often forgetful about littlie things like remember to eat, drink, etc and usually watch for my own warning signs such as already stopped sweating. Didn't go sailing sat(and was outvoted 3-1 for sunday) but had to play with the band for an outdoor gig. 100+, high humidity took a huge toll.

 

[jimmyb]

Check this out, I have a genetic disease called Fabry. I and those like me dont sweat. My body has no way to cool it self. I have ridden motocross, hiked the Grand Canyon backpacked and competed in High Power rifle competition in the dead of summer in Quantico Va with a felt lined heavy leather jacket on and I have had to learn early on the importance of hydration, shelter, rest and cooling down.

First always liquids even before you go out. Try to hydrate even the night before hot days. I drink water exclusively when in severe heat and exertion. It just goes down easier and im not loading up on sugars. Any other time I prefer natural juices cut 50% or more with water. Takes a bit of getting used to but after a while you will loose your taste for all that sugar. I also cut power aid with H2O. I eat pb&j's. Its just the thing for me as I have never gotten sick on them and with Fabry you get sick on everything in the heat. Keep in mind even if you are constantly drinking fluid you can get life threatingly sick from diluting your system of essential salts. Salt may not be the best thing for you but there is a reason the rangers warn sternly to eat salty snacks when hiking the G. Canyon. There are signs posted everywhere out there.

Next thing is know the signs and get out of the sun to shelter. Obvisously this takes a little forethought. Clothing is a shelter as well. I carry a bandana tied to my packs and dunk it in evey passing stream. I then place it atop of my head and put my hat over it. It keeps a cool barrier around my head and neck and blocks sun. Even sun glasses we have discovered will cause less fatigue and better attitude as well as protecting your eyes.

Finnally I will splash any water available on my skin. This acts as sweat to cool me. I will saturate my shirt, sit in brooks what ever it takes. My riding buddies used to laugh when they saw me pull over on a trail ride and sit in a deep muddy puddle to cool off. Who cares, it beats getting sick. My gear would get soaked and keep me cool for that many more miles, while at speed it was like AC. On board i simply bail a few small buckets over my head to cool down.

The reason Im so long winded is that this is a serious issue that could have cost me as well some serious damage. I was on St John on my very first hike. No water and none on the trail. Not a drop! After a few hours or less and atop the island I was looking down on a sea of water and was not sure I was going to get back down to it. I was reduced to walking no more than 7 steps and collapsing on the ground. Pulling myself up and a few more steps then again so weak I could not stand. A few hours like this and thank God I was back at the trail head. I thought I was going to need rescue or would be in very critical condition. Heat is just nothing to mess with. If you dont plan and have a back up plan it WILL kill you. And within a few hours. So act early and dont try to beat mother nature, you will be on a course to fail.

Be safe and good sailing to all, Jimmy B

 

[jimmyb]

I forgot to mention one thing that relates to many deaths from exposure to a rainbow of other incidents. Too many people when in trouble feel they need to get back to their starting point. Sometimes it is smarter to shelter up and ride out a storm or other bad situations in order to recover and be safe. THEN continue on to your starting destination or a closer safe haven. Pushing yourself beyond reasonable limits under distress is what gets ya.

jimmyb

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

Jimmy B, Thanks for your perspective. Thanks to everyone for good suggestions and advice.

It sure snuck up on me, I had no idea how overheated/dehydrated I had become until I climbed up on the dock and nearly keeled over. I had been sweating profusely and was completely wringing wet, as though I actually had been swimming, but it barely evaporated at all because of the humidity, so I may have actually quit sweating due to dehydration without really realizing it. I have the opposite problem to Jimmy B - tend to sweat heavily after even very mild exertion, which is gross and more than a little embarassing when, say, riding on crowded public transportation. (All the more reason to be careful about staying hydrated).

I had a summer job doing heavy manual labor in an un-airconditioned factory during one of the hottest summers on record when I was in college. We had plenty of water available and little salt pill dispensers - we all took a salt tablet on break. I remember getting off shift at 11 pm, when it was still over 85 out, and positively shivering from the contrast with the heat inside.

I am stowing a gallon jug of water aboard as a backup. Next time I go out I'll definitely remember my cooler, with a few bottles of frozen water and a few unfrozen. Cool is better than ice-cold, but as the day wears on ice-cold becomes cool while cool becomes hot. Think I'll get a bottle of salt tabs too for my emergency kit.

 

[Joe11688]

Thank God you made it back and was able to cool down and get some liquids into your system. I guess that the old saying "we learn by our mistakes" holds true in anything that we do.
I just got back today from a three day cruise out in Mount Hope Bay with my dog Penelope. Dogs feel the heat more than people and I try to keep her cool and shaded as much as possible. I carry plenty of water and ice on board to last me the whole trip, and that includes taking showers. As for shade, I have a golfing umbrella and about four polytarps of various sizes, the 8'x10' to go over the boom when we are anchored. When we're sailing, I rig a 5'x7' to my stern rail and life lines with my boat pole to prop it up. I call it my "poor man's Bimini Top". They can laugh, but it works. For cooling us off with a fine mist spray, I use a 1 gallon garden weed sprayer filled with water. I cut the wand down a little to shorten it up. This pump type sprayer comes in handy for rinsing off my soaping dishes in the cockpit. The sun can really do a number on you, but if you have plenty of ice cold liquids, a wide brim hat, and something as simple as a large beach towel to throw over your upper body with a safety pin to hold it in place, life can be a whole lot easier. I used to fill a bucket with sea water and dip a rag or sponge into it to cool off. Now we use the weed sprayer to cool off. We usually find a place near an island or in a cove to hang out. I spread the tarp over the boom and hang one over my forward hatch and we take a dip and hang out on the boat.