Predictions On How Many "Silly" Hikers Will Need Rescue During Next Weeks Excessive Heatwave (house, gated)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

The only reason why people can survive in 115 degree weather is because they sweat more. It's basic thermodynamics Here is the math if yu care to learn: Evaporation of Perspiration: Cooling Mechanisms for Human Body .

Also, the AZ dry heat is an important point on how we can survive 115 weather. In hot temp days, people get into trouble because they dehydrate which reduces a person's body ability to sweat. Additionally, overdressing (which raises your core temp) especially for clothes that don't allow sweat to evaporate are hikers biggest enemies.

When our body sheds unused energy 1st by conduction (or transferring heat energy to the skin's surface). Later by convection which turns the heat energy to the air. But as it gets hotter it becomes more difficult to shed that heat. So when it is greater than 98.6 outside temps, it will cause the body's system to reverse and then heat flows from the outside environment into the body. To combat taking on a higher core (>>98.6 F outside temps), people depend on a second cooling mechanism which is perspiration. As the liquid sweat heats up, H2O molecules become more active until they jump states and transform into vapor which reduces energy. That process removes heat from the body and reduces the internal body core temperature. In the monsoon season, higher humidity defeats the system because the air is already saturated with additional humidity.

That all said, it takes people about a month to acclimate. It's why I now shivered at 45 degrees AZ winters. So those who assume that PHX natives are somehow superior at acclimating hot hiking temps, is pure nonsense. A hiker can easily die from IL or born and raised in PHX.

One reason I don't mind the DRY brutal heat is because I sweat much more than others. My dermatologist can attest to this (I apply medication to my feet to avoid athlete's feet). I'm on the verge of Hyperhidrosis. It's why I despise humid weather. So for people who sweat more (and keep hydrated ahead of time and during their hike), they are in much better shape in order to keep their core temps at 98.6 degrees. It's the same reason why some people get in trouble more if they sweat less . In fact, Hypohidrosis is a condition where people don't sweat much and will get into trouble on a 115 F day.

Also, some medications will cause heat exhaustion risks like some meds used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems (beta blockers, diuretics), reduce allergy symptoms (antihistamines), calm you (tranquilizers), or reduce psychiatric symptoms such as delusions (antipsychotics). Additionally, some illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can increase your core temperature too. Source Heat exhaustion Risk factors - Mayo Clinic .

As the Mayo link suggested, young people under 4 years old (mechanism isn't fully developed) as well as fat people are at a higher risk too.

With that all said, I'm still trying to figure out how my landscapers can wear long sleeve pants and shirts and not overheat.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

One reason I don't mind the DRY brutal heat is because I sweat much more than others. My dermatologist can attest to this (I apply medication to my feet to avoid athlete's feet). I'm on the verge of Hyperhidrosis. It's why I despise humid weather. So for people who sweat more (and keep hydrated ahead of time and during their hike), they are in much better shape in order to keep their core temps at 98.6 degrees. It's the same reason why some people get in trouble more if they sweat less . In fact, Hypohidrosis is a condition where people don't sweat much and will get into trouble on a 115 F day.


With that all said, I'm still trying to figure out how my landscapers can wear long sleeve pants and shirts and not overheat.

I am not a heavy sweater, which I think helps me cope with the heat better, even though that is opposite of what you have said above. I don't feel overheated and I am not uncomfortable because of sweating. I stay dry and comfortable instead. Add in some humidity, like the time we were walking around Puerto Vallarta...UGH! Sweat city and very uncomfortable and gross! I really very rarely, if ever, sweat here.

The long sleeves keeps the direct sun off the skin and keeps them from getting cut up!

[bg7]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

I am not a heavy sweater, which I think helps me cope with the heat better, even though that is opposite of what you have said above. I don't feel overheated and I am not uncomfortable because of sweating. I stay dry and comfortable instead. Add in some humidity, like the time we were walking around Puerto Vallarta...UGH! Sweat city and very uncomfortable and gross! I really very rarely, if ever, sweat here.

The long sleeves keeps the direct sun off the skin and keeps them from getting cut up!

You don't feel the sweat so much if it evaporates quickly (as it does in dry heat) - that's what cools you. But dehydration must be managed. When the sweat doesn't evaporate (due to humidity in the air) is when you'll feel sweaty.... and that's when hyperthermia is a problem.


One can die of hyperthermia because of (1) dehydration meaning you havent' got the liquid to sweat and therefore can't cool or (2) because even though one is sweating it stays on the skin as liquid, so no heat of vaporization, and core temperature rises.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by bg7

You don't feel the sweat so much if it evaporates quickly (as it does in dry heat) - that's what cools you. But dehydration must be managed. When the sweat doesn't evaporate (due to humidity in the air) is when you'll feel sweaty.... and that's when hyperthermia is a problem.


One can die of hyperthermia because of (1) dehydration meaning you havent' got the liquid to sweat and therefore can't cool or (2) because even though one is sweating it stays on the skin as liquid, so no heat of vaporization, and core temperature rises.

I have never been one to sweat, period, except in cases of extreme humidity/dew point as in the Mexico example I gave. Not even when I took kickboxing classes in an un-air-conditioned studio in the Midwest in the summer did I break much of a sweat. it's not sweating and evaporation for me, it's just not really sweating to begin with!

The heat doesn't bother me, but I still wouldn't be "silly" enough to hike when it is 115+!

[jimj]

One thing I do notice and that is the weather service temps don't match what I'm finding in my travels around the West Valley. Yesterday I recorded temps of 120-121 in several places. Maybe it's reflected heat or maybe it's actual heat but either way it's hotter than what we're being told. Someone should report on the temps standing in a shopping center parking lot, driving down the highway or standing in a roadway as those are the actual temps we see/feel.

I do notice when I drive west of the 303 out towards White Tank Park on city streets the temps drop 2-3 degrees, due to farmland,lack of concrete and asphalt.
I don't know why they don't ever talk about or even mention what I call "real temps" that we face when it gets this hot...

[wase4711]

Originally Posted by jimj

I do notice when I drive west of the 303 out towards White Tank Park on city streets the temps drop 2-3 degrees, due to farmland,lack of concrete and asphalt.
I don't know why they don't ever talk about or even mention what I call "real temps" that we face when it gets this hot...

this is probably the exact reason why they dont announce "real" temps, especially in such a spread out metro area like Phoenix is..it would be nice if they announced temps in larger suburban areas, and not just the temp at Sky Harbor.

I guess the assumption is that when its 115+, then it doesn't matter if its actually 116 or 120, its super toasty!

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by jimj

One thing I do notice and that is the weather service temps don't match what I'm finding in my travels around the West Valley. Yesterday I recorded temps of 120-121 in several places. Maybe it's reflected heat or maybe it's actual heat but either way it's hotter than what we're being told. Someone should report on the temps standing in a shopping center parking lot, driving down the highway or standing in a roadway as those are the actual temps we see/feel.

I do notice when I drive west of the 303 out towards White Tank Park on city streets the temps drop 2-3 degrees, due to farmland,lack of concrete and asphalt.
I don't know why they don't ever talk about or even mention what I call "real temps" that we face when it gets this hot...

Your car temperature is wrong

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by jimj

To be fair, we see the same "types" of people who hike off trail at the Grand Canyon and either fall to their death or have to be rescued after sustaining serious injury all because they couldn't pass up that selfie at the rim edge.
I also saw the same things in MT when people would go to Glacier Park and ignore all of the rangers advice/safety rules and have to be rescued or fall to their deaths or get eaten by Bears. Heck, when my wife worked in the park she saw people chasing Bear cubs down the road to get a picture.

I think one of the main differences is that everyone KNOWS the severe heat is here and we KNOW that it may/can/will kill or seriously injure even the most healthy hiker.

Who doesn't know that falling into a canyon or getting mauled by a bear may/can/will kill?

[Jnvlv247]

Over 100 before 10am and doesn't go under 100 till 1/2 am

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by jimj

One thing I do notice and that is the weather service temps don't match what I'm finding in my travels around the West Valley. Yesterday I recorded temps of 120-121 in several places. Maybe it's reflected heat or maybe it's actual heat but either way it's hotter than what we're being told. Someone should report on the temps standing in a shopping center parking lot, driving down the highway or standing in a roadway as those are the actual temps we see/feel.

I do notice when I drive west of the 303 out towards White Tank Park on city streets the temps drop 2-3 degrees, due to farmland,lack of concrete and asphalt.
I don't know why they don't ever talk about or even mention what I call "real temps" that we face when it gets this hot...

Official temps for Phoenix are always what is recorded at Sky Harbor. Actual temps around the valley can vary