I think the most miserable hot weather fishing I’ve ever encountered was when I went along as a press angler with various professional bass fishermen when they were competing in the famed BASS Masters Classic in New Orleans. There were days when there was no discernable breezes blowing to ripple the water and if it was after about 10 a.m. the sun beat down us without mercy. If we stopped to fish some secret spot the competing angler had found for more than about 15 minutes we were so hot that we just couldn’t take it anymore. We mutually agreed that we needed to make take a few minutes break from the heat and cool off by riding around so that the wind we created by riding dried our sweaty bodies and cooled us off a bit.
The Classic is often won by a few precious ounces and to win or even place among the top few winners means big bucks so when Pro anglers give up valuable fishing time to simply cool off, you know that it’s hot! Those professional bass fishermen don’t fish for fun. They fish for money!
Deer or dove hunters who take advantage of the early hunting seasons also know the dangers of taking part in outdoor activities during hot weather. To try and sit motionless in a tree stand as sweat rolls off your fingertips and gnats, mosquitoes or other biting insects bore holes in your skin can be downright painful.
Probably one of the most dangerous things a hot weather deer hunter can do is to try and drag a deer’s carcass from the woods. This is particularly true for elderly or outdoorsmen with known heart problems. If you’re not in really good shape, get help to get that deer out of the woods.
Dove hunters fight ticks and chiggers and their panting dogs are known to have literally passed out from heat exhaustion. Humans can deal with the heat better than their dogs because their bodies use sweat and evaporation to control their body temperature. Dogs can’t sweat to cool off. A wet nose and drooling pink tongue are the dog’s cooling mechanisms and when they aren’t readily supplied with water to replace bodily liquids in hot weather, the heat can be deadly.
During the opening day of pheasant season in Nebraska a few years ago it was extra-hot and literally hundreds of bird dogs died from beat exhaustion. I’ve seen early season dove hunters here in North Carolina rushing to nearby water sources with an 80-pound black lab in their arms to revive their passed-out dog.
Pet owners should remember that their animals may be “wearing” a heavy fur coat and do not sweat as we do. Supply them with plenty of water and don’t expose them to the mid-day sun for prolonged periods of time. Don’t require them to over-exercise in the heat. Allow them to take frequent breaks in a shaded area (this same rule applies to us humans too).
On a recent fishing trip into some of the tributaries of the lower Roanoke River we had our yellow lab on board and happened to take notice of the fact that he was exhibiting some signs of heat exhaustion. We were fishing in an open, center console boat with a white interior.
We anglers were hot but seemed to be coping well with the heat but the dog wasn’t. The white interior of the boat was acting as a solar oven to the dog and he was having problems. We got him into a shaded bank and pushed him over the side into cooler water, gave him a drink of the cool water we had on board and he seemed OK for the rest of the day. I’d never thought of the white interior of a boat as being a solar reflector but it was. Point made!
When the heat and humidity are forecast to be at dangerous levels most authorities recommend that you don’t venture out into it unless its necessary.
Dealing with high temperatures is not anything to be laughed at. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 600 people in America die each year from the heat. If you find that you have to go out into the heat, prepare for it and follow a few simple rules.
Dress for hot weather. Wear light colored cotton clothing that adsorbs perspiration and by the evaporation process cools the wearer down. Wear a light, broad brimmed hat to keep your head as cool as possible (Some very good hats are made of an absorbent materiel that rapidly cools the wearer through the evaporation process).
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Our new commander over in Afghanistan had a fainting spell on a public forum recently because he failed to stay hydrated. He is a rugged and highly trained individual yet he admittedly failed to follow one of the simplest rules of hot weather survival.
According to Melissa Tennen of myOptimumHealth “Normally, the body cools itself by sweating.
Sometimes, though, sweating isn’t enough. When this happens, the body cannot cool itself. This can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
“Heat cramps—People who sweat a lot when they are active are more prone to heat cramps. Too much sweating can deplete the body of salt and moisture, leading to heat cramps.
”Muscle pain or spasm in the abdomen— arms or legs due to heat cramps usually occurs when you are physically active. Heat cramps may seem like a mild annoyance, but don’t ignore them. They can be a symptom of heat exhaustion. People with heart problems or those on low-salt diets should call a doctor if they get heat cramps.
“Heat exhaustion—Heat exhaustion is usually caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures over several hot days or too much physical activity in extreme heat. Sodium and potassium are important minerals that help regulate fluids in and out of your body’s cells. Too little to drink, along with out-of-balance body fluids, can cause heat exhaustion.
“Those most vulnerable to heat-related illness are infants, very young children, the elderly, people with certain physical illnesses and those who work or exercise in hot temperatures.
“Signs of heat exhaustion include:
▪ Heavy sweating
▪ Paleness
▪ Muscle cramps
▪ Tiredness
▪ Dizziness
▪ Headache
▪ Nausea or vomiting
▪ Fainting
▪ Cool, moist skin
▪ Weak pulse
▪ Fast, shallow breathing
“Symptoms of heat exhaustion should not be ignored. They can lead to heat stroke. One sign of heat stroke is confusion. If someone is confused, has a change in behavior, has a seizure or passes out, call 9-1-1 right away. Anyone with other symptoms of heat exhaustion needs prompt emergency medical care.
“Heat stroke—Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot regulate its temperature. This is a life-threatening condition. The sweating mechanism fails and the body can’t cool down. The body temperature becomes extremely high, sometimes above 110 degrees F, and can cause damage to major organs.
“Signs of heat stroke include:
▪ An extremely high body temperature. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. Red, hot and dry skin without sweating.
▪ Quick pulse
▪ Throbbing headache
▪ Dizziness
▪ Nausea
▪ Confusion
▪ Loss of consciousness.
Call 9-1-1 if you suspect heat stroke.
“Prevention—Here’s how you can protect yourself and your family from heat-related illness: “If you are being treated for a medical condition, ask your doctor how much you should be drinking. You may need even more fluid if you are exercising or working in the heat.
“Limit your intake of fluids that contain caffeine, alcohol or a lot of sugar. These can cause dehydration. Stay indoors, preferably in air conditioning, on very hot days. When the temperature is above 90, indoor fans won’t help. Limit your outdoor activities to the morning and evening. Try to stay in the shade at other times. Cut down on your exercise in extreme heat, or exercise in the cooler times of day.”
Post a Comment
