Went to shoot a match yesterday, was a little cooler than it had been for a few weeks, so I thought it would be okay. Got there, it was getting near 80 already but I had 2 bottles of Gatorade and another drink, so I figured I would be okay. Wrong! By the time we got to the last stage, it was in the mid 90s and I had finished my drinks. I'm the last shooter on the Last Stage. Got my guns to the Stage widows, we could stage our pistols on the counter if we wanted, and thankfully I did.] put my hands on the counter per the instructions and my head started swimming! I told the TO to give me a second and it didn't ease up. He got another shooter to get me to a bench and two other guys got my guns and unloaded them for me. Got some more cold stuff down and was better after a bit.
Guys, please watch the temps and your own selves!
Wow, that's scary. Glad to hear you are OK. I had a similar thing happen to me. I learned the hard way to always bring plenty of Gatorade and water with me. I would someimes drink a bottle per stage.
I'm sure glad you are safe.
Glad you are okay, Deacon. It can sneak up on you quick.
Slim
:) Hey All ;)
Yepper. Be sure to be aware of the heat. Four-er-Five years ago at an Ohio State match I had occasion to visit a Porta Potty. Mom nature kept me in there for 45 minutes. When they finally got me out, I wasn't real sure where or whom I was. The next thing was an ambulance ride to the local hospital. Twern't lotz of fun. I prefer Powerade Zero (chilled) for my match drink. Lots of 'lectro-Lites an diddly sugar.
When I see things sparkling I hit the shade and hydrate. Dump some water on my head too. We cut a stage off last month at our double action/sass cas shoot. The week before I struggled through a 7 stage 2 gun zsa shoot. Summer heat is nothing to underestimate. I wear a huge straw hat and a big white shirt.
Yup, I had on a white shirt and had finished two Gatorades and an orange water drink. We started early too and took a water break between the third and fourth stages.
@deaconkc, I'm glad that you are okay. We have instituted the "If it's over 100* F at noon, we will not shoot" at one of my clubs. This came after leaving the range and the car thermometer registered 117* F! :o
Please remember the rule from my wildland firefighter days; 4 clear to 1 colored for fluid intake. IE for every ounce of colored (Gatorade, All Sport, ETC) drink 4 ounces of water!
Having had both heat emergencies (Exhaustion/Stroke) and cold emergencies (Hypothermia) I am well aware of the dangers and warning signs.
We need to base our activities and outfits on the weather AND our physical tolerance.
I used to do pretty good in the heat. Age is not being kind in that regard. Two years ago in San Antone, by this date we had approximately 60 100-degree days, Last year it was about 50 days by this date, and this year only around 22. Still dang hot, but I'll take any relief we can get!
Our state match in late May was brutally hot/humid and ambulances had to come several times. The first day on the afternoon shift was the worst, and I told myself that if it had not been the state championship I definitely would have hung it up and gone home. As it was I managed to shoot clean and win my category, but it was iffy for a while. Everybody had cool scarves in their welcome packet and we were all dunking them in ice water every few minutes and wrapping around necks.
A few times, I have taken one of those freezer packs, wrapped it in a bandana, and stuck it underneath my shotgun belt in back over a kidney. My theory was that it would cool the blood going through the kidney. I do think it helped somewhat, but was a hassle trying to keep it in place, especially after it started melting and getting softer. My next plan is to design a little pouch for a cold pack with straps that will go around the suspenders in back to hold it in place, and still go under the shotgun belt. My little brother has M-S and is very heat-sensitive. He has a vest, looks like a photographer's vest, that has pockets in front and back for hard blue ice-packs. That gave me an idea of sewing some pouches inside a vest for cold packs. That would get kind of bulky if they are in front and back, and if in back only then the front is going to get hot under the vest, so that project is on hold.
Good suggestions here from both of you! Thanks!