10-Percent of EMS Calls Heat-Related

Fayette County EMS reports an increase in heat-related emergencies.

“About 10 percent of calls we’re getting are heatrelated,” EMS Director Josh Vandever told the Record this week. “It’s a seasonal thing. For the most part, it’s the result of someone getting dehydrated and being exposed to the environment for too long.”

Vandever said the majority of those calls involved older adults and elderly who overexert themselves in the heat.

“It’s hay season, and people are outside cutting hay and baling hay,” Vandever said. “They’ve got a plan on what they need to get done, and sometimes they don’t think about their health.”

Vandever said folks working outside need to stay hydrated and take plenty of breaks.

“Prehydration is much more effective at preventing heat injuries than rehydration,” Vandever said. “If you know you’re going to have a hard day out in the sun, start drinking water three days ahead of time. Take breaks. Give your body a chance to physically recover from the heat before you get back out there.”

Vandever said the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke include headache, profuse sweating, nausea, weakness and dizziness.

“If you stop sweating and start becoming loopy, that is when it is transitioning to a heat stroke,” Vandever said. “Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are emergencies. The quicker you get them handled, the better the outcome. The first thing you should do is call 911. The second thing you should do is get out of the hot environment and cool down.”

Vandever said that once someone suffers a heat-related injury like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they are much more susceptible to it in the future.

“Hydration and taking breaks – that’s the biggest bang for your buck,” Vandever said.