FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- The heat is on in North Texas. Since March 1st, MedStar crews have already treated 91 patients with a primary clinical impression of a heat-related illness.
Matt Zavadsky with MedStar said just this past weekend, crews responded to 27 heat calls and 17 patients were serious enough to require transport to the hospital.
He said in particular they responded to 3 heat related emergencies during protests.
“If you are participating in these demonstrations, take frequent breaks.. I know many organizers have planned some breaks during the walks which is always a good thing and make sure it’s in an area where you can seek shelter and get away from the sun,” said Zavadsky.
He said to avoid the risk of a heatstroke make sure to drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are engaged in any strenuous activity. Stay in a place where there is plenty of air circulating to keep your body cool. If you are indoors and don’t have access to air conditioning, open windows and use a fan. Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to avoid absorbing the sun’s light and trapping heat. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, remove any items covering your head which can trap heat close to your body. Zavadksy said a heatstroke can occur in less than an hour when you are participating in strenuous activity during a hot day. If you feel yourself getting hot or light-headed, stop your activity and rest in a cool place out of the sun.
