RE: [Paddlewise] real heat stroke was: When in Rome do as the

> From: "Dickson, Dana A." <dana.dickson_at_unisys.com>

> I don't claim to be a skilled paddler, however, I have had symptoms that
> correspond to what first responders are taught to use to diagnose incipient
> heat stroke.  In my case it was while fishing in an open boat with minimal
> liquid availability on a day that the air temp hit 105 F in MN, in May, a
> very unusual combination.  The cure for me was to jump into the lake and
> cool off, and then to get liquids in me.  I suppose this qualifies as
> anectdotal since I was in no condition to take my own core temperature and
> my fishing partner was not that good of a friend. <g>  However, one
> consequence of that experience is that I work hard to keep well hydrated and
> if I feel that I'm getting hyperthermic I will cool off in the water.  

The point of hydration is a very good one.  Paddlers should hydrate, not
just for heat but also for cold weather.  There are measures that can be 
taken to fend off heat exhaustion such as what you did, jump into the 
water (or roll the kayak as someone else mentioned).  When you are in the 
cold water without a wetsuit or drysuit and are hypothermic, there's not 
a lot one can do for him/herself.   I have a hard time accepting fear of 
hyperthermia as a valid excuse for not wearing a wetsuit or drysuit if 
conditions are such that either a wetsuit or drysuit would be 
life-sustaining in case of cold-water immersion... especially as someone
suggested (and you have shown by experience) that, when you are on the 
water, there is a remedy for the heat.

<snip>

> The data that Jackie is asking for below may be very difficult to get.
> Those who die of hyperthermia will be hypothermic if they are not found
> immediately.  

Uhm, how can a dead body suffer hypothermia?  8-}

I'm not a forensic pathologist but heatstroke is diagnosed from symptoms.  
Permanent damage can occur to organs (such as the brain) as a result of 
heatstroke.  I don't know, but seems an autopsy would reveal if a victim 
wearing a wetsuit or drysuit suffered from heatstroke.  

> Of those who recover from hyperthermia most will not seek
> medical attention or have their core temperature documented by other
> methods.
> 
> Dana

Still, there are plenty of accounts of hypothermia of paddlers.  Documented.
If hyperthermia due to wearing a wetsuit or drysuit was a real risk, then it 
would seem to me there would be plenty of eyewitnesses and documentation of 
that, too.  

Cheers,

Jackie

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