SIERRA VISTA — The southwest sizzled this week with high temperatures surpassing the triple digits.
So, what’s the best way to avoid heat-related illnesses?
If it’s not possible to stay indoors at all times during this week’s scorcher, the best defense is keeping cool and drinking plenty of water.
There are typically three main heat-related illness that can occur when body temperatures get too high and fluids too low: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat exhaustion, which is more severe than heat cramps, causes symptoms that include nausea, dizziness, headaches and a rapid pulse.
Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness.
“In heat exhaustion, that person is clammy and still has the ability to sweat,” Ryan said.
A person suffering from heat stroke loses the ability to sweat, which is critical in lowering body temperature.
They turned to The Cove Aquatic Center and the Teen Center to avoid the blistering heat and prevent dehydration.
For 8-year-old Ella Cartwright, the Cove is where she goes with her family to escape from the summer heat.