EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND ATHLETIC TRAINERS WARN PARENTS OF DANGEROUS HEAT-RELATED INJURIES TO KIDS

April 30, 2007 – As weather experts predict the hottest summer on record , the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) are alerting parents, coaches and children about the real dangers of dehydration and heat illness in the summer months. 

The organizations warn that dehydration may increase the risk of heat illness which in extreme cases can lead to death. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat causes about 400 deaths per year in the U.S .  Children are at risk for heat illness because they often play in the sun for extended periods without the proper amounts of fluids. 

Additionally, when children are in organized sports – fluid breaks are on the time clock of coaches. “As summer temperatures rise and kids play outdoors, EMS providers respond to a significant number of children suffering from heat illness,” said NAEMT President Jerry Johnston.  “Heat-related illnesses are entirely preventable and the first step in prevention is to drink enough of the right fluids to replace sweat loss.”

When drinking water, active kids only replace about half the fluids they lose in sweat. The flavor and electrolytes in sports drinks like Gatorade encourage kids to drink 90 percent more than plain water which, helps them stay better hydrated and safe on the playing field. 

“It’s important that parents and coaches remind their kids to monitor their hydration status, provide kids easy access to fluids, and schedule frequent fluid breaks,” said Chuck Kimmel, ATC, president of NATA. “Thirst isn’t always the best indicator of hydration.”  Kids can easily monitor their hydration status by checking the color of their urine. Dark, apple-juice-colored urine indicates that a child needs more fluid, whereas urine that appears light like lemonade means he or she is well-hydrated.
 
NAEMT/NATA RECOMMENDATIONS
NAEMT and NATA recommend the following safety tips for parents while their children are active in hot weather: 

  • Pack fluids for your children to take to activities because they may not be readily available
  • Dress your children in loose-fitting and light-colored clothing and a hat.
  • Put sunscreen on your children before they head outdoors
  • Have your children drink at regular intervals before they get thirsty, since thirst is a poor indicator of hydration
  • The best indicator of hydration status is change in body weight - weigh your child before and after activity. Weight loss indicates a need to better hydrate.  Weight gain indicates that your child consumed more fluids than they lost in sweat and should drink less next time
  • Choose sports drinks for kids when playing in the heat because the flavor and sodium will encourage more fluid intake than water, which helps your children stay hydrated and safe
  • Teach your children to check their hydration status by noticing the color of their urine. Urine that is dark like apple juice indicates your child needs to drink more. Your children should aim for urine that is light, like the color of lemonade
  • Remind your children to take periodic breaks from the direct rays of the sun.
  • Modify established rules/policies to assure proper time is given for rehydration

NAEMT also recommends that everyone knows the warning signs of dehydration:
  • Noticeable thirst 
  • Decreased performance 
  • Nausea
  • Muscle cramps 
  • Difficulty paying attention 
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Dry Mouth 
  • Headache  
  • Lightheaded feeling or dizziness

Treating the symptoms of dehydration is crucial in preventing more serious conditions such as heat exhaustion:
  • Rest your child in a cool place
  • Provide a sports drink containing electrolytes
  • Prevent dehydration in the future by ensuring the child consumes fluids before, during and after exercise or play (educate everyone and allow ample time to rehydrate) As a child becomes dehydrated, the likelihood of heat exhaustion may increase if left unrecognized.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
  • Dizziness and fatigue
  • Feeling chilly
  • Rapid pulse
  • The child should begin to feel better relatively soon, if not, assume heat stroke and treat as an emergency (call 9-1-1) Very high core body temperature and altered mental status would be indicative of heat stroke and it’s imperative to immediately seek medical attention and cool the victim down by whatever means possible – even placing them in an ice bath.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is the world’s largest international membership association for EMTs, Paramedics and other professionals working in pre-hospital emergency medicine.

The 30,000 members of the National Athletic Trainers' Association are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. Visit www.nata.org for more information on heat illness and fluid replacement. Visit their website at www.NATA.org.

For more information about the importance of summer hydration, visit, www.NAEMT.org or www.NATA.org.