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Show ITIM F S July 8, 2010 muscle spasms, usually in your calves, arms, Hilltop Times staff abdominal wall and back. fter a long series of rainy "Mild cases can be days, hiccups of snow reversed by sipping flurries, and chilly wind, electrolyte beverages summer is finally here. As we like Gatorade and a celebrate by spending more time salty snack such as out in the sun, we should also peanuts or crackers," remember that summer's heat Martin said. "If severe can also be dangerous — both for muscle spasms conhumans and our furry friends. Dehydration tinue, seek medical adThe risks for people vice. IV fluids may be "Staying adequately hydrated is administered." essential to the cooling process," The Mayo Clinic also suggests Martin said. Excessive sweating and other byproducts, higher amounts of The heat may seem fine at first, resting and letting your body cool water are lost as well." inadequate intake of water during but it doesn't take much for the down, gently stretching and massagMartin proposes that the averoutdoors to become a risky place to hot weather or exercise can contribing the affected muscle group, and age adult working in extreme heat ute to dehydration. be. Especially if you're active outrefraining from strenuous activity doors or even wearing heavy clothOf course, not all fluids will rehy- should drink about one gallon of for several hours or longer after the ing — such as battle gear — and drate the body and, in fact, some flu- water a day. Instead of keeping a measuring cup handy, a simpler way heat cramps go away. mild symptoms like heat cramps can ids will actually further dehydrate of keeping track is to have eight swiftly turn into a serious problem. the body. regular-sized bottles of water (500 "Many beverages we drink daily "The good news is heat illness Heat exhaustion actually contribute to dehydration," milliliters or 16.9 fluid ounces) and is preventable," said Maj. Robert number each cap 1 through 8. If you As heat-related illness progresses Martin of the 75th Aerospace Medi- Martin said. "Coffee, tea and soft drink No. 8 by dinnertime, you're and you lose more fluids and electrodrinks actually promote dehydration cine Squadron. "It all starts with a right on track. lytes your blood pressure can drop, solid understanding of the processes through a process called diuresis. As your body processes caffeine and involved." "Obviously this is a general rule," which causes dizziness or fainting. Martin said. "Extreme temperatures To compensate, Martin described, your heart rate and breathing will go and strenuous activity will require up. You may also feel confused, naumore hydration. Keep it simple. If PARKED CARS TOO HOT FOR KIDS, PETS you haven't urinated in three to four seous and might also have to throw up. hours, you're behind in your hydraft may seem like common sense, but every year there are reports of tion." At this point you've reached heat children — even young infants — left unattended in parked cars. Pets, If you fall behind in your hydraexhaustion. "It's important to recogjust like children, should never be left in a parked car, even with the wintion and continue to work and sweat nize these signs," Martin said. "Get dows down or on a cool day. in the heat, you might find yourself out of the heat and rehydrate with developing other symptoms of heat- electrolytes and salty snacks. Ice On a warm, sunny day, the inside temperature of a parked car can related illness. These symptoms packs or cool wet cloths will help." reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit within minutes — even with the window start small but can gradually beMartin also suggests seeking partially open, the Humane Society of the United States said. come worse. If action is not taken, medical attention so that IV fluids A study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine heat-related illness can even be can be provided if necessary. founcf fliaf theThside temperature of a car can heat up by an average of fatal. "If you continue working in this 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour, regardless of ambient temperaoverheated state, you're dangerousture. ly close to the third and final stage of tf you see a child or pet unattended in a parked car, please call the Heat Cramps heat illness," Martin warns. 75th Security Forces Squadron Law Enforcement Desk. The first stage of heat-related illTo report a child or animal in a parked car, please call the 75th SFS ness is heat cramps. This condition Law Enforcement Desk at 777-3056. . may result in painful, involuntary SeeHEATlpage12 BY CATHERINE MCNALLY A Martin is referring to the process of thermoregulation, or the "body's ability to maintain a constant internal temperature of 98.6 degrees (Fahrenheit)." Sweating is a major way for the body to regulate its internal temperature, and when heavy clothing or battle gear is worn, this process can be impeded, Martin explained. Science show and te Davis School District summer camp takes tour of base to get up close with learning by Larry Coulter, senior engineer and associate unit director for the Air Force Advanced Composites Office, sometimes better known as "Larry the Composites Guy." Other features included tours of scienceBY CATHERINE MCNALLY related areas of the base such as Hilltop Times staff the field training office, composites ith shows like Bill Nye the lab, and soldering and egress lab. Science Guy and Myth"We are trying to get the kids Busters working hard to excited about science and enteach kids that science can be fun, gineering and Department of it's no wonder that more and more Defense careers," said Carole of today's youth are interested in Beasley, Science and Engineerthe different aspects of science — ing Outreach liaison. "There is so : from biology to engineering. much great technology going on at ; - This is exactly what the Davis Hill, and a lot of people external School District's Science Summer to the base don't realize it. It's also amazing now* many people don't re• Camp, run by Rita Stevenson, El; ementary Science Supervisor, aims ally understand what an engineer to do as well. The camp open to Da- does in the day to day operations." . vis School District students grades The children's tours came after 4 through 6, is both educational an initial tour by 20 teachers who : and fun, Stevenson said. had been .attending the Utah Tech"We feel it's important for the nology and Engineering Teachers , students to experience science 'up annual conference at Davis High ' close' and not just through books School. Though the teachers' tour or theory," Stevenson said. "The was limited due to an inspection, . activities we do and places we visit they still managed to tour the sol'- support the science curriculum dering and egress and composites !"" taught in those grades." labs. For the hands-on portion of the "They were very impressed," '/camp, students were treated to Beasley said. "We gave them a \'- a tour of Hill Air Force Base on mission briefing before heading 1 June 21 and 28 and will be visiting • ; "again Monday, July 12. One of the See TOUR I page 10 i. tours started with a discussion led W On June 28, attendees of the Davis School District's Science Summer Camp got a little "hands-on" with a tour of Hill Air Force Base. To start off their tour, children were treated to a discussion led by "Larry the Composites Guy." KIM COOK U.S. Air Force |