Don't let summer heat sick you out of your RV experience

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With summer temperatures soaring, RV travel could bring heat-related illness. Applying a few simple tricks can make your journey more enjoyable, and safer.

While everyone needs to keep cool, older ones and children are more often affected by heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Dr. Paul Silka, vice chairman of the Emergency Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center says we should be on the lookout for telltale signs of trouble:

Heat exhaustion: This illness may lead to heat stroke, so if you or someone else is experiencing symptoms, seek medical attention and monitor the condition closely. Symptoms include heavy sweating; cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; headache; dizziness or weakness and nausea.

Heat stroke: This condition can be life-threatening, and requires emergency medical care. Symptoms include high body temperature; flushed hot, dry skin with no sweating; vomiting; weak, rapid pulse; decreased alertness; changes in consciousness; disorientation; confusion; impaired thinking and shallow, rapid breathing.

• Do drink water in frequent, small amounts. Try an 8-ounce glass at a time. 
• Do wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothes and a hat to shade yourself.
• Do wear sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15.
• Do stay in a cool place during the hottest hours of the day, from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. By then your body is already low on fluids.
• Don't drink alcohol, caffeine or sugary drinks -- they will dehydrate you.
• Don't take salt tablets. They will not replace water loss and can adversely affect your health.
• Don't leave children, pets or senior citizens unattended in a car for even a few minutes. It takes just moments for cars to heat up to lethal temperatures in hot weather.

RVers can take advantage of their rolling cool places. When traveling in a motorhome if the dash-air system won't keep you cool enough, consider firing up the generator and operating the roof-air system while traveling. If you stop for a break, make sure your generator's exhaust system is clear so that no exhaust can migrate back into the RV.