During extremely hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperatures rise and you or someone around you may experience a heat-related illness.

One of the most important things to do is drink a lot of fluids (mostly water or some low-calorie electrolyte drinks) a day or two before you plan to be outside for a prolonged period. If you are dehydrated when you start work, you may not be able to drink enough to catch up with your body’s need for water.

DART Cooling Stations

Ambassadors working at DART stations will have access to air-conditioned spaces located at:

• Victory Station – 2 buses
• Transit Centers – Addison, Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing, JB Jackson/MLK Jr. Station, Parker Road, etc.
  

These buses or transit centers will provide shade, seating, cold water and sports drinks.

• Unless it is a health emergency, these refreshments are for DART/FIFA ambassadors only.
  

Heat Exhaustion/Stroke Symptoms

It is important to know the symptoms of extreme heat exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps. Some of these symptoms and steps are listed below.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

• Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen. Heavy sweating.
• First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water. 
  Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.
  

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating; weakness or tiredness; cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; dizziness, nausea or vomiting; headache; fainting.
• First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Offer sips of water. 
  Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour
  

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms: Throbbing headache; confusion; slurred speech; nausea; dizziness; body temperature above 103°F; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid and strong pulse; fainting; loss of consciousness.
• First Aid: Call 911 or take the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.
  

Using a fan to blow air in someone’s direction may actually make them hotter if heat index temperatures are above the 90s. For more information on all of these heat related illnesses, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site.