Heat Stroke…it isn’t just for the elderly.
June 16, 2008 by Gary Smith · 2 Comments
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Last week we talked about Heat exhaustion, and I recieved some private messages that went something along the lines of well this is an old folks’ problem, so I don’t have to worry about it. Sorry devoted readers, what I was trying to express was that the very young and the older/out of shape people are more at risk, BUT young and health people can easily suffer from it, too. All it takes is to start to deplete the body’s store of fluids and electrolytes and not be able to properly cool the body either because of heat and humidity or physical activity.
Today, we are going to go beyond heat exhaustion and talk about Heat Stroke. Remember, with heat exhaustion, the body, if replenished with fluids and electrolytes and cooled, could recover itself. Heat Stroke has gone beyond that. Often the body can not recover on its own and is not able to cool on it’s own either. True Heat stroke victims have lost the ability to sweat; they may still be clammy but are not sweating, and the body’s temperature is climbing rapidly to dangerous levels. But to learn more, let’s follow the continued below link ….
Family Fun in South Dakota, part two
March 26, 2008 by Lil'Darlin1972 · 4 Comments
(continued from last week)
You can’t go to the Black Hills without seeing Mt. Rushmore. Honestly, it was probably the one place I was the least excited to see. It was on the list because I felt like I had to see it. But once we got there and I was walking down the avenue of flags and got my first glimpse of the presidents, I was overwhelmed with pride and emotion. Quite a moving experience. There is a very nice museum on-site with some fun interactive activities for the kids. If possible, I recommend visiting at least twice. During the day when the sun is high is a great time for taking close up pictures. You can even hike around a bit. In the evening there is a nightly lighting ceremony which we all really enjoyed. In the end, we ended up visiting or driving by Mt. Rushmore 5 different times that week, and I couldn’t look away each time. We were there during the 4th of July holiday and seeing the fireworks over the mountain was amazing.
Crazy Horse Memorial- this is another must see, in my opinion. Although nowhere near completion, it is a huge project that one family has dedicated their whole lives to. You can learn more about it during the short film shown on a loop in the main building. There is a very nice Indian museum and a gift shop where you can buy locally made pottery. Every night there is a laser light show set to music which the kids loved. Well worth the admission/donation price. There is also a snack shop and ice cream counter. We were there for about 3 hours.
Bear Country USA- Great place to take photos of animals you may not have a chance to see anywhere else up close. While I have mixed feelings about these type of places, I believe the animals here are well cared for looked healthy. Along the 3 mile drive through experience you will see grizzly and black bears, reindeer, mountain lion, buffalo and more. At the end there is a wildlife center where you can see smaller/younger animals. The bear cubs seemed to be having a great time playing and chasing each other around. There is a HUGE gift shop at the end. Allow 1-2 hours (depending on how much you like to shop !)
How to stash Drugs! Ok Medications sounds better!
February 11, 2008 by Gary Smith · 6 Comments
Now that I really have your attention, let me say that no, this isn’t how to hide things from law enforcement officers! But how many of us take medications daily? Most of us in the “mature” age bracket would have to raise our hands. I always say I can’t be too unhealthy, I only take two colors of pills! But trying to be serious (I always tell my kids I am at least as funny as any comedian, they don’t laugh either), do you know how to take care of your medications when you are camping?
I find most people don’t know how to take care of medications. First off, medications are required to have on the label (or if a prescription printed on the information sheet) what temperature they should be stored at. Often the range is about 40 to 88 degrees, but it can vary widely. But your camper medicine cabinet is often a bad place. Your bathroom is often little and stuffy, prone to overheating in the summer with the door closed or with hot showers and high humidity. Your refrigerator is too cold for some. Some Medications can handle more heat or colder temperatures. But all have limits. Often the best place is the refrigerator as most medications do better in cold than warm. One very good example of this is Nitroglycerin which many heart patients carry. If you have Nitro pills or similar pills, the best place you can keep them in is the fridge in a sealed plastic bag or container.
Safety in a New Camper part 2.
January 28, 2008 by Gary Smith · 2 Comments
Last week we talked about going to that Promised Land called the RV SHOW! We looked at some of the features to be aware of for safety on the outside of a camper. Now, I am not going to recommend any particular brand or type of camper (what stirs my gravy might not even begin to excite you!). But today I want you to think of the inside. They do let you go inside the campers at the RV shows; they look at you funny when you start playing house, but they do tend to let you alone as long as you don’t start getting too ready for bed.
But that is what I really do recommend to check out a camper you like. PLAY HOUSE! Don’t just sit in a chair and think of all the good things. Think about where people are going to sit and what they are going to be doing. Pretend to make a meal and serve it to people. Does the kitchen have enough counter tops and storage? Is the stove big enough for you to make your favorite foods? How about the location of the stove? Is it only a few inches away from the towel rack? How well do the doors close on the cabinets? Will they hold your glasses in or will you walk into broken glass after that bumpy road on the way to Lake Gotta go Camping? Can you reach the microwave to take out hot liquids? My co trip planner is only 5 feet tall; the one camper we looked at, the microwave in it, she couldn’t reach the buttons! Go into the bathroom and sit on the throne. Take your shoes off and get in the shower.
