Last weekend as temperatures soared into the 90’s, Richmond Ambulance Authority had its second busiest Saturday on record. With 157 responses, versus the average of 134, the heat took its toll as 10% of the patients transported to a hospital had heat-related conditions such as dehydration and heatstroke.

Chip Decker, chief executive officer for the Richmond Ambulance Authority, said, “We saw higher than usual levels of heat-related issues over the weekend and would like to offer a few top tips to help people cope in the heat so if they are out enjoying the weather they don’t become casualties.”

Those top tips:
Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.

Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on fluid-restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.

Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat.

Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
Decker added, “With temperatures and humidity set to rise again this coming weekend, we hope everyone will be equipped to ‘beat the heat’.”

The American Red Cross, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency have produced a Heat Wave guide filled with useful tips for remaining cool this summer.  To access this information, see www.raaems.org and go to the Heat link on the home page.

About the Richmond Ambulance Authority
In 1991, the Richmond City Council and the city manager implemented an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system that placed the patient first and guaranteed its performance to the City's residents.  Today, the Richmond Ambulance Authority responds to approximately 135 calls per day and transports, on average, 110 patients per day.  RAA’s emergency response times are among the fastest in the nation with ambulances on the scene of life threatening emergencies in less than 8 minutes and 59 seconds in more than 90% of all responses.  RAA is one of only 11 EMS agencies in the United States accredited by both the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services and the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.  RAA is also a Commonwealth of Virginia Accredited Dispatch Center.  For more information, see www.raaems.org.