You're active in the heat. You're at risk! Protect yourself from extreme heat

Table of contents

• Know your risks
• How your body regulates temperature
• Get ready for extreme heat
• Pay close attention to how you and those around you feel
• Stay cool and hydrated
• Modify your activities

Know your risks

Being physically active provides many health benefits, but during extreme heat it can put you at risk even if you are healthy.

Your risk increases if you have:

• breathing difficulties
• heart problems
• a mental illness
• hypertension
• kidney problems

If you are taking medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it increases your health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations.

Heat illness

Heat illnesses can lead to long-term health problems and even death. These illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps (muscle cramps) and are mainly caused by over-exposure to extreme heat or over-exertion for a person’s age and physical condition.

How your body regulates its temperature

Your body produces heat, especially during physical activity. Hot air and exposure to direct sun rays or hot surfaces also heat your body. This heat is lost by contact with cool air and by sweat production which cools your body as it evaporates. Weather conditions play a big role in how your body regulates its temperature. For example, if it’s windy, sweat evaporates faster, which helps to cool you. However, high humidity slows down this process, contributing to increased body temperature.

Get ready for extreme heat

Your body is not used to extreme heat at the beginning of the summer.

• Know what the outdoor temperature is before you start so you can modify your physical activity as needed.
• Ask your sports organization or trainer if they have a plan for extreme heat.
• Ask your coach, trainer or a teammate to pay special attention to you during extreme heat if you are particularly at risk. If you suffer from asthma, make sure you carry your inhaler with you, and that those around you are aware of your condition.

9-1-1

Heat stroke is a medical emergency! If you are caring for someone, such as a running partner, who has a high body temperature and is either unconscious or confused, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Pay close attention to how you and those around you feel

Protect your health – watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include:

• dizziness or fainting
• nausea or vomiting
• headache extreme thirst
• unusually rapid breathing and heartbeat

If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.

WHILE WAITING FOR HELP, cool the person right away by:

• Moving them to a cool place.
• Directly applying cold water to the person’s skin or clothing.
•  Fanning the person as much as possible.

NEVER leave people or pets in your care inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight. When the outside air temperature is 23ºC, temperatures inside a vehicle can be extremely dangerous— more than 50ºC.

Stay cool and hydrated

Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, before you feel thirsty. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after being physically active.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.
• Increase your comfort by splashing yourself with cold water.

Modify your activities

Reschedule or find alternatives

If you can, reschedule strenuous outdoor activity to a cooler part of the day or another day.

There are also many ways in which you can still be physically active while avoiding the heat, such as:

• Exercising in an air-conditioned place or
• Choosing a cooler outdoor location, such as a tree-shaded area away from high traffic to avoid higher levels of air pollution. These spots can be as much as 5ºC cooler than the surrounding area.

Before heading out, check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in your area, if available—air pollution tends to be higher during extreme heat. When active, you are more sensitive to air pollution because you breathe deeply and allow more air to enter your lungs.

If you are in an area with mosquitoes or ticks, protect yourself with insect repellent:

• Use insect repellent that has DEET or icaridin.
• Follow the product instructions.

Be realistic

Try not to expect the usual performance from yourself during extreme heat.

Take extra water breaks

Move into the shade, drink water and remove gear such as a helmet or equipment to let your body cool off.

Avoid sun exposure

Exposure to direct sun will heat your body and can result in sunburn. Sunburned skin loses its sweating efficiency, which impairs your body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

• Shade yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat or using an umbrella.
• Limit your time in the sun.
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that is SPF30 or higher and follow the product instructions.

Remember, sunscreen will help protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays but not from the heat. Sunscreen and insect repellents can be safely used together. Apply the sunscreen first, then the insect repellent.

Recover

Allow your body to recover after heat exposure. Spend a few hours in a cooler tree-shaded area or somewhere that’s air conditioned, such as your home, a shopping mall, grocery store, public building or public library.

Additional resources

• Health Canada’s “Extreme Heat: Heat Waves”
• Health Canada’s “Sun Safety”
• Public Health Agency of Canada’s “Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living”
• Health Canada and Environment Canada’s “Air Quality Health Index”
• Health Canada’s “It’s Your Health— Insect Repellents”