Hotsy-Totsy: A Review

by Bob Buddemeier

“Oh no,” you say, “not more of that tired old preparedness stuff.”

Yep, we’re going to keep going over it until you get it right, at which point you will be confirmed as a missionary and sent out to convert your neighbors.  Just remember as we go through the review, if you have to take the exam the outcome could mean a lot more than a letter on your transcript.

Written during an extreme heat warning — it will probably be (relatively) cooler by the time you read it, but this is only the beginning of summer — the hottest months still lie ahead.

There are two  components — all-purpose heat precautions, and heat as a component of disaster or evacuation.  These have a lot of overlap if you have (a) vehicle(s).

Basic supplies, household:  For walks and other outdoor excursions:

• Hat.  Any hat is better than none , but a broad-brim all around is best, and the funny-looking neck shield is a good idea if you don’t have a collar.
• Sunscreen.  High SPF
• Water.  As much as you can conveniently carry.
• Something to carry the water with.  Belt clip, fanny pack, shoulder bag, big pocket(s), whatever.

Same set of stuff for each person.  You can’t wear each other’s hat or sunscreen; what makes you think it’s a good idea to rely on somebody else’s water?

Now duplicate all of those things to keep in the car (except add more water).  And, like your go-bag, your car should have other things like flashlights and survival blankets and gloves and so on.  That only sounds like unnecessary duplication, because if you try play put-and-take with one set of gear, you can be absolutely confident that it will be in the wrong place when you need to use it.

Here we are just past the basics, and I can hear the chorus of “yabbuts” starting up like frogs in the water hazard.  “Yabbut if I leave bottled water in my hot car the plastic will dissolve and get into my tender tum-tum.”  Well, (a) the extra amount will be small compared to your normal daily intake of plastic, and (b) it’s better than dehydration, and (c) it takes little in the way of strength or wit to empty and refill a few bottles at the interval of your choice.  And something similar for the rest of your yabbuts.  Just get with the program.

OK, graduation time — everybody has two of everything, in the right places.  Here’s your diploma.  Now, GRADUATE SCHOOL.

It’s really really hot and dry.  What might we think ahead about?  One of the things you may have noticed is a power outage.  Flashlights and batteries and lanterns, oh my.  And matches because the gas stove will still cook but it won’t light itself.  You have an electric stove, you say?  A good reason for getting acquainted with your neighbors, some of whom may cook with gas.  If your health or life depends on electricity, more extensive preparations may be in order.

Moving on, we get to fire.  Having mentioned your car and your go-bag, I will delve no deeper into the whole evacuation business.  Breathing through a straw in the water hazard with the other frogs will be covered later.  What I will do is mention one more condition to consider — SMOKE.  Get masks.  Not the blue paper ones we all know and love, and not the fashionably monogrammed cloth models.  N95 masks.  Or if you must, KN95.  Get a good sized box and split them between house and car and go-bag.

That is probably enough for today’s hot weather lesson, but let’s circle back for a moment to the big threat — dehydration.  Old people (know anybody in that category?) are particularly vulnerable and sensitive.  And, it sneaks up on you — no sledge-hammer warning symptoms.

You have to look after yourself.  How will you know that you are in danger of dehydration?  Your urine will tell you.  First off, if you aren’t producing any, that’s a very bad sign.  Drink lots of water immediately, and continue doing so.  If you are able to pee, look at it.  It’s not necessary to gawk and stare, a glance will suffice.  It should be pale yellow.  Medium or dark and it’s time to head for the water hole.  Mountaineers have a saying (altitude begets dehydration) — “your urine should be clear, copious, and colorless.”  And don’t worry about the plastic.