Teenager dies of heat stroke on Pacific Crest Trail

The death of a teenage hiker this week along the Pacific Crest Trail has been ruled an accident, coroner documents show.

Timothy Evan Nodal, 19, of Julian died of heat stroke while hiking with a friend in the Cleveland National Forest in temperatures ranging from 74 to 80 degrees. (Click here to read the entire story)

Edited by Leon Pantenburg

It doesn’t have to be excessively hot for someone to suffer from heat stroke. All that has to happen is that a person’s body  loses the ability to cool itself. This can come from dehydration or exposure or a combination of both.

Here is some information on treating heat stroke in the outdoors from survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt:

In the absence of large quantities of cool water, heat stroke is very difficult to treat in field.   A heat-stroked patient will manifest major central nervous system abnormalities – seizures, delirium, stupor, coma and usually, but not always, dry skin.

Since heat-stroked victims have lost the ability to sweat and cannot cool themselves their body core temperatures may rise above 107° F. with death following quickly unless external cooling can be accomplished.

Treatment.  The victim must be cooled as quickly as possible.  Transport to shade or erect shade over the victim.  Spray with cool water and fan vigorously to promote evaporative cooling and the lowering of the individual’s core temperature.  Arms and legs can be massaged to stimulate the flow of cool blood back to the core. Treat for shock.

Here is more info from the American Red Cross:

Heat Stroke Symptoms

May include: Extremely high body temperature (106°F or higher); hot, red, dry skin; absence of sweating; rapid pulse; confusion; convulsions; unconsciousness.

CAUTION

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency, and mostly occurs indoors in overheated, under-ventilated areas.

Treatment

1. Call 911 or your local EMS immediately.
2. Lower body temperature quickly by placing victim in cool place and removing as much outer clothing as possible.
3. Wrap victim in cold, wet sheets and use fans and air conditioners until body temperature is reduced. If no sheets are available, cool the skin by sponging victim’s body with cool–not cold–water until temperature is reduced.
4. DO NOT give stimulating beverages, such as coffee, tea, or soda. Do NOT give alcoholic beverages. Do give water to drink.

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