It may be September, but the heatwave is in full swing (no thanks to climate change) and temperatures are reaching new heights, even approaching 40°C in several cities in France.
The discomfort came so quickly with the heat wave
Even if I dream about it, unfortunately I can’t put my daily life aside and stay cooped up at home waiting for the heat wave to pass.
I have to go to work, go grocery shopping, say hello to my grandma, or go back to school shopping (that’s not true, I hate shopping). In summary, activities that require:
- Leave my house
- To take the subway
And if in general the subway during rush hour is already torture for me, during the scorching heat it becomes simply unbearable. Especially because in crowded trains the temperature is close to that of an eternal hell.
The last time I took the subway, a quick look inside the carriage confirmed my intuition: my sweat buddies and I were sharing the same hell and secretly calling on the RATP gods to have air conditioning installed on everyone network trains.
Trapped between my sweat-soaked T-shirt back and the subway window, I wondered what would happen if at that moment one of us decided to get sick, dazed by this suffocating heat.
What to do if you feel unwell during a heat wave?
With my PSC1 training now behind me, I told myself that maybe it was time to do it review the basics of first aid with the help of professionals.
So I contacted Ève and Lena, both nurses, to ask them what actions to take if the Jean-Michel next to you suddenly felt unwell.
Lena explains:
“All diseases are treated the same.”
First of all it is necessary lay the person down.
The two young women also support place the person in an air-conditioned placeor at least in the shade andavoid the crowds.
If you experience heat-related discomfort, you can apply a damp cloth on the person’s face, always to refresh it.
Finally, if the state of consciousness allows it, the person can be made to sit down and offer him a drink.
Lena specifies:
“Above all we must stay close and watch that person “.
You can ask her about her life and plans, but it’s actually especially helpful at this point to ask her if she has any medical history that you should inform SAMU about.
Why yes, even if” the discomfort is not necessarily serious “, as Eva explains, ” it’s better to call the SAMU (15) for medical advice, especially if it concerns an elderly person or a newborn. »
Lena complete:
“Discomfort is not trivial and necessarily comes from somewhere. »
So, even if the person tells you that “everything will be fine,” call SAMU. The professional who will answer you will be able to advise you best.
Finally, Lena adds:
“If the person is unconscious or loses consciousness, he or she must be placed in a recovery position and call 911 immediately.”
To summarize it is therefore necessary:
- Lay the person down
- Make space around her
- Refresh/hydrate her if her condition allows
- Ask her questions to keep her conscious
- Call SAMU (15) for medical advice.
If the person loses consciousness, it is necessary to ensure that he is breathing and, if necessary, put him in a safe lateral position or, if necessary, start cardiac massage.
As Derek would say:
“It’s a great day to save lives!” »
The basics for surviving the heat wave
Ève underlines that in most cases heat-related discomfort can be avoided with preventive actions.
Stay well hydrated during the heat wave
“The main risk [durant la canicule] This is dehydration. So you gotta drink (water!) even if we are not thirsty”
Ève therefore advises her patients to equip themselves with a 1.5 liter bottle of water and aim to finish it before evening.
You can also follow the advice of Clémence, who implements a smart system during the heat wave based on a 75 cl bottle, ice cubes and a fridge!
Cool down regularly during the heat wave
“The most important thing is to avoid discomfort by refreshing yourself regularly while I take a shower. »
Be careful though! No cold or even icy showers, which “ only update in the moment. »
Privilege rather a quick and temperate shower to better manage high temperatures.
Stay cool during the heat wave
I suspect you won’t run a marathon in 100°F temperatures, but lying like a pancake in bed sometimes isn’t enough to survive the heat wave.
The nurse in first aid training advises you to “ spend a few hours in an air-conditioned place and Don’t go out between noon and 4pm », hours during which the sun shines the brightest.
If you don’t have air conditioning in your house or you refuse to use it, you can always play McGyver by placing it a damp cloth in front of a fan. Guaranteed ocean breeze effect!
Finally, so as not to waste all this effort, don’t forget to do it close the shutters during the sunniest hours of the day to prevent the heat from entering, maintaining the freshness created inside!
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
