Factbox: How to survive a heatwave

3 Jan 2013, 12:00 am   -   Source: SBS staff
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Find out how to better protect yourself this summer to avoid heat stroke (Getty)

Find out how to better protect yourself this summer to avoid heat stroke (Getty)

With temperatures already beginning to soar this summer, it's important to know how to better protect yourself from heat injuries.

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With temperatures set to soar this summer, some cities may experience heatwaves.

A heat wave is referred to as a prolonged period of excessively hot weather which is often accompanied by high humidity. Severe heat waves have eradicated crops, caused widespread power outages and killed thousands from hyperthermia.

NSW Health Medical Adviser in Environmental Health Dr Richard Broome says while Australians consider themselves to be quite resilient, they have to remember to take heat-related injuries seriously. NSW Health reports that a 2011 heatwave in Sydney caused almost 600 emergency department visits and 96 deaths.

Some groups are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures including the elderly, children and people with chronic medical conditions.

St Johns Ambulance Training Officer Lisa Martin says the best way to protect yourself from heat injuries is to stay out of the sun and at least between 11am and 5pm.

"To protect ourselves from heat stress and other stress related illness, it's best to really stay out of the sun as much as possible when the temperature gets to that extreme," says Ms Martin.

When the mercury rises, it's also advised to keep your hydration levels up by drinking water or drinks with electrolytes in them. Ms Martin says beverages like coffee and alcohol act as a diuretic and can often make you more dehydrated.

To keep the house cool, shut windows and doors during the day and keep blinds and curtains closed for most of the day. Wearing light and loose clothing will help and, if you have to go outside remember to wear sunscreen.

Ms Martin says the most important thing is to ensure you are aware of what your body is doing.

"At the start we have heat exhaustion… you feel very lethargic; a headache starts; you're very tired; there's nausea and you will be starting to sweat profusely, so if you don't monitor yourself and stop what you're doing… that can lead to heat-stroke."

Heatwave

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Your Comments

Mollycoddled experts

Wag - from Sydney, 4 months ago

Stay out of the sun ,drink plent of fluids WELL DUH !! next they will say its ''dangerous'' to run towards bushfires

Advice

Anonymous - from Sydney, 5 months ago

Article is completely useless. The only useful advice found from this article are the users comments.

Beach-why?

Dave - from Adelaide, 5 months ago

Living on the beach, as I do in Adelaide, I'm bemused by the amount of people flocking to the sand when the mercury heads over 40- which it does quite often here. Though the water is there, these people are doing little more than choosing to sit in their backyard in the middle of extreme weather and put their bodies under extreme stress. Head to the beach early morning and evening- and in the hottest part of the day, seek shelter and hydrate. After all, how many people head out into a blizzard?

Keep cool strategies

Martin - from Perth, 5 months ago

Heatwaves frequent here in Perth. Cooling core Temp is what's important, particularly for the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. As we are mammals(warm-blooded) it is easier for us to heat up than cool down so try wearing a wet t-shirt(evaporative cooling), ice packs under the arms, kidney and groin areas if really hot(blood vessels near surface). Ice-poles and icy drinks. Cool your head with cold-packs and wet flannels from the fridge as we lose more heat through our head. Drink!

Ms

Eva - from Adelaide, 5 months ago

Sorry, but the article is pretty useless, it doesn't state anything at all. People also need to move slowly, stay calm and avoid physical activities other than slight walking around the house. Keep your feet up if you notice swollen legs. Eat fruit if you haven't got fluid with electrolytes, or go to the Pharmacy and get a packet of the powder, is cheaper and lasts longer. Fill the bath tub, if you got one, or any tub with cold water and at least dip your thighs, and lower arms into it.

Fill the bathtub up with water

Duncan - from Canberra ACT, 5 months ago

Lie in the bathtub for 20 minute periods throughout the hottest parts of the day. Don't drain the water until bedtime. Makes a difference keeping cool.

Cool

Kenart47 - from Speewah, 6 months ago

Jump in the shower three or four times a day. Thirty second cool or tepid showers will refresh you body and reduce your core temperature. Eat Iodine rich foods to support your inner thermostat; your thyroid. Be cool Love and Peace.

Sun smart

Jaffa - from Sydney, 6 months ago

Great advice

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