Know what these terms mean - from the Red Cross

http://www.oregonredcross.org/general.asp?SN=2844&OP=3598&IDCapitulo=663B0ID44V

Know What These Terms Mean
Heat wave:
Prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its procedures to alert the public during these periods of excessive heat and humidity.

Heat index:
A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.

Heat cramps:
Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

Heat exhaustion:
Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.

Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

Sunstroke:
Another term for heat stroke.

If a Heat Wave Is Predicted or Happening...
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.

Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.

Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool.

Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.

Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which dehydrates the body.

Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Signals of Heat Emergencies

Heat exhaustion:
Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke:
Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

Treatment of Heat Emergencies

Heat cramps:
Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.

Heat exhaustion:
Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.-->

Heat Wave Forecasted from 27 July to 29 July

The build-up of heat we've had over the last few days is leading us to a heat wave, and the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for Oregon and Washington.

http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pqr&wwa=excessive%20heat%20watch

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON INTERIOR...  THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.  THE WARMEST WEATHER OF THE SEASON WILL LIKELY OCCUR IN THE INTERIOR OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON BEGINNING MONDAY AND LIKELY CONTINUING AT LEAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY. AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES AT LOWER ELEVATIONS WILL BE IN AT LEAST THE UPPER 90S ON MONDAY...AND POSSIBLY REACH OR EXCEED 100 TUESDAY AND AGAIN WEDNESDAY. MANY AREAS OF THE CASCADES AND IN THE COAST RANGE WILL LIKELY PUSH WELL UP INTO THE 90S DURING THIS PERIOD AS WELL. IN ADDITION...LOW TEMPERATURES WILL BE RISING AS WELL INTO THE 60S... RESTRICTING ANY RELIEF AT NIGHT.

Here at OEM we normally deal with disasters, but heat waves can be deadly for people who are unprepared to handle them. Personal preparedness is not just important for disasters! It can save your life during day-to-day changes like this heat wave. The weather service has some great tips for preparing for the heat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...  AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

The CDC recommends that if you must be out in extreme heat to drink 2-4 cups of water an hour and don't wait until you are thirsty. Make sure to wear sunscreen, and if you need to be active to drink sports drinks to replenish salts and electrolytes that your body will sweat out. Pace yourself, and stay safe. Hot weather doesn't have to stop us from being active but we do have to be careful as heat stroke can be life threatening.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp