Log in

SAFETY

Adjust your hiking plans according to the heat

Posted 4/10/23

With the jump in temperatures, Scottsdale Fire officials urge the public to adjust outdoor activities -- including hiking plans.

“Temperatures went from cool to hot in a matter of …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
SAFETY

Adjust your hiking plans according to the heat

Posted

With the jump in temperatures, Scottsdale Fire officials urge the public to adjust outdoor activities -- including hiking plans.

“Temperatures went from cool to hot in a matter of days,” Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon said in a press release. “That can be stunning to people who are used to being active outside – including hiking on our wonderful trails. However, when we get calls for mountain rescue late in the morning or early afternoon, that is a concern. If the person is injured, it can be compounded by heat-related illness.”

Individuals suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded, and the body can no longer cool itself. Call 911 if a person becomes confused, passes out from the heat or stops sweating.

It is important to know the early warning signs and take action. Heat cramps is the body’s way of saying “enough.” Go inside and drink room-temperature water. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, full-strength Gatorade and alcohol.

When a person is excessively sweating, has dizziness, headache, nausea/vomiting or feels weak, they are showing signs of heat exhaustion. If the person does not feel better 10-15 minutes after going inside and drinking water, call 911.

If heat exhaustion is left untreated, it may progress to heat stroke, a severe form of heat illness.

Preventing heat-related illness is key.

“It is important to understand that heat will make trails more difficult, so choose your route wisely. Get out early so you can get off the mountain before the heat of the day,” Shannon said in a press release. “Pre-hydrate days before your activity. Bring plenty of water on the hike and carry a cell phone in case of an emergency.”

Common symptoms of a heat-related illness include:

• Heavy sweating,

• Paleness,

• Headaches,

• Nausea,

• Dizziness,

• Shallow breathing,

• Rapid but weakened pulse rate.