As the temperature reached into the upper 80’s this past week while we were camping I was reminded of the illnesses brought on by the heat; heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat strokes. All of which are preventable with the proper intake of the right fluids. Unfortunately, most of what we drink is not suitable for replenishing the salt we loose in the heat: coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol.
Heat cramps are muscle contractions in arms, legs and stomach. Also, accompanied by heavy sweating and extreme thirst. At the first sign of cramps the victim should be moved to a shady area and clothing loosened. Give large amounts of cool water. Watch and continue water. Get medical attention if cramps persist.
If not caught in time the next stage is heat exhaustion where the symptoms include heavy sweating with pale, moist cool skin; headaches, weakness, dizziness and or loss of appetite; heat cramps, nausea (with or without) vomiting, rapid breathing, confusion, tingling of hands and/or feet. Again, the victim should be moved to a cool shady area, and loosen or remove clothing. Next, pour water on victim and fan to increase cooling. Have victim drink lots of water slowly and elevate legs for better circulation. Get medical attention.
The most serious of the heat illnesses is heat stroke. At this stage sweating has stopped, the victim is red and his/her skin is hot. Get medical help immediately. Move victim to cool, shady area and loosen or remove clothing. Start cooling victim immediately. Immerse victim in water and fan. Massage extremities and skin and elevate legs. If conscious, have the victim drink plenty of water.
As I stated earlier, most of us don’t drink the fluids our bodies need while camping and enjoying outdoor activities. Please leave these drinks alone and replace them with drinks such as Propel or Gatorade depending on your activity level. For more useful information please visit our website www.Campsite190.com.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunglasses For Outdoor Activities
With more harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays getting through the ozone now than ever before, sunglasses are necessary all year long, not just in the summer months. With that said, the most hazardous hours of UV exposure is between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the late spring through early summer in North America. UV rays can reach the earth’s surface even on cloudy days. They reflect off of the water, cement, asphalt, sand and snow; these elements can be found in all outdoor activities including: camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, skiing, disc golf, etc. 
Ninety-nine percent elimination of UV rays is a required feature when purchasing eye protection for outdoor activities. Plastic lenses will not shatter, but scratch easily. Glass lenses have a higher optical grinding quality and are usually distortion free and scratch resistant. However, for those of us with very poor eye cite glass lenses is not an option because of the weight. The lenses colors yellow, amber and rose increase perception to details and are good choices for hunting, climbing and mountain biking. Where as, gray and green lenses limit color distortion and are good choices for camping, photography, painting and nature watching.
Additional features to consider for outdoor activity are Polaroid pigment and Photochromic pigment. Fishermen use a Polaroid pigment added to the lenses, because they are good for eliminating reflections, enabling the wearer to see through the water’s surface. Photochromic pigment added to the lenses enables a camper or hiker’s lenses to change color intensity in variable densities in the woods.
I know from past experience that a lot of us pick sunglasses for the look not the functionality. I have wasted a lot of money on “stylish” sunglasses. Learn from my mistakes, it is better to purchase a high quality plastic frame, with a larger lens for a wider angle of vision, if you will be enjoying the great outdoors while wearing the sunglasses. More useful tips to save you wasted money while enjoying the outdoors can be found on our website http://www.campsite190.com/.
Ninety-nine percent elimination of UV rays is a required feature when purchasing eye protection for outdoor activities. Plastic lenses will not shatter, but scratch easily. Glass lenses have a higher optical grinding quality and are usually distortion free and scratch resistant. However, for those of us with very poor eye cite glass lenses is not an option because of the weight. The lenses colors yellow, amber and rose increase perception to details and are good choices for hunting, climbing and mountain biking. Where as, gray and green lenses limit color distortion and are good choices for camping, photography, painting and nature watching.
Additional features to consider for outdoor activity are Polaroid pigment and Photochromic pigment. Fishermen use a Polaroid pigment added to the lenses, because they are good for eliminating reflections, enabling the wearer to see through the water’s surface. Photochromic pigment added to the lenses enables a camper or hiker’s lenses to change color intensity in variable densities in the woods.
Eye Glass Cords is a must in the woods so you won’t misplace or as I have, sit on them. The cord also helps to prevent losing the sunglasses.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Mosquitoes And Camping
It’s that time of year again, time to go camping and along with the great outdoors we will find mosquitoes! Mosquitoes are annoying in the campsite, they bite, and in some extreme cases mosquito bites can case death. Only the female mosquitoes bite humans, injecting saliva, which causes the itching sensation. Contrary to popular belief, unless you hit and kill the mosquito after the biting she does not die, she can live up to 5 months and will lay 200 eggs after each bite. So, no wonder there is so many around our campsite.
Studies have shown that mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue (one of our car camping tents is blue) and taller individuals. They like carbon dioxide and humans exhale carbon dioxide when we breathe. So, if you are tall, active and wearing the color blue you are a mosquito magnet. Be particularly weary of the person camping with you, who is running around flapping his/her arms and swatting at anything moving, mosquitoes especially like these people as they are emitting lots and lots of carbon dioxide.
If a mosquito bites you, you can neutralize the stinging sensation by wetting the area with some saliva or water and passing a bar of soap over the bite. This will usually stop the stinging as well the itching. Commercial products for neutralizing the bites can also be purchased if you prefer.
But the best defense against mosquitoes is a good offense; the common Boy Scout motto of “be prepared” also applies to camping with a trustworthy mosquito repellent. Other trustworty camping information can be found at http://www.campsite190.com/.
There are many forms and concentrations of mosquito repellent found commercially today. The safest method of application is to wear long sleeves and long pants and to apply the repellent to your clothing only, with an aerosol or pump-spray. However, this isn’t always practical, especially, during our sweltering summertime camping excursions, in this case we follow the procedures for using repellents safely:
The best and most effective long-term repellents contain “N.N-diet-m-toluamide” known as DEET. The warning label on these products is extensive and you will need to adhere to these as many health hazards can occur with improper application of DEET. Please use caution when using these products, especially on children. They are toxic if ingested; in rare cases death has occurred. While camping and at home, I do not use these products on my children simply because what’s on their hands usually ends up in their mouths. Dose related side effects include irritability and impaired concentration and/or memory.
The oil of citronella is a natural ingredient found to be almost as effective as DEET. This oil can be added to your favorite sun block and reapplied often. In addition in to repelling mosquitoes while camping, it wards off other outdoor pest including, black flies, fleas, gnats and ticks. In clinical studies the oil of citronella has little or no toxicity. In use since 1948, the oil of citronella has been used extensively without any reports of adverse effects.
Studies have shown that mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue (one of our car camping tents is blue) and taller individuals. They like carbon dioxide and humans exhale carbon dioxide when we breathe. So, if you are tall, active and wearing the color blue you are a mosquito magnet. Be particularly weary of the person camping with you, who is running around flapping his/her arms and swatting at anything moving, mosquitoes especially like these people as they are emitting lots and lots of carbon dioxide.
If a mosquito bites you, you can neutralize the stinging sensation by wetting the area with some saliva or water and passing a bar of soap over the bite. This will usually stop the stinging as well the itching. Commercial products for neutralizing the bites can also be purchased if you prefer.
But the best defense against mosquitoes is a good offense; the common Boy Scout motto of “be prepared” also applies to camping with a trustworthy mosquito repellent. Other trustworty camping information can be found at http://www.campsite190.com/.
There are many forms and concentrations of mosquito repellent found commercially today. The safest method of application is to wear long sleeves and long pants and to apply the repellent to your clothing only, with an aerosol or pump-spray. However, this isn’t always practical, especially, during our sweltering summertime camping excursions, in this case we follow the procedures for using repellents safely:
- Never use repellents under clothing.
- Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
- Never apply to mouth or eyes and apply sparingly around ears.
- Never spray directly to face, spray on hands first, then apply to face.
- Never spray in enclosed areas.
- Avoid breathing the repellent.
- Never use near food.
- Do not allow children to handle this product, and do not apply to children’s hands.
- When applying to children, first put it on your hands then apply to the child.If you suspect that you or your child is reacting to the repellent, discontinue use, wash treated skin, and then call your local poison control center.
- Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, apply a bit more and double check expiration date on bottle.After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe.
- Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
- Follow use directions carefully use only the amount directed, at the time and under the conditions specified, and for the purpose listed. For example, if you need a tick repellent make sure the product label lists this use. If ticks, is not listed, the product may not be formulated for this use.
The best and most effective long-term repellents contain “N.N-diet-m-toluamide” known as DEET. The warning label on these products is extensive and you will need to adhere to these as many health hazards can occur with improper application of DEET. Please use caution when using these products, especially on children. They are toxic if ingested; in rare cases death has occurred. While camping and at home, I do not use these products on my children simply because what’s on their hands usually ends up in their mouths. Dose related side effects include irritability and impaired concentration and/or memory.The oil of citronella is a natural ingredient found to be almost as effective as DEET. This oil can be added to your favorite sun block and reapplied often. In addition in to repelling mosquitoes while camping, it wards off other outdoor pest including, black flies, fleas, gnats and ticks. In clinical studies the oil of citronella has little or no toxicity. In use since 1948, the oil of citronella has been used extensively without any reports of adverse effects.
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