Safety in the Grand Canyon

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the high Arizona desert of the Grand Canyon Region, please be aware of the dangers that accompany altitude, heat, dehydration, and exhaustion.

Four real health hazards to familiarize yourself with are dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyponatremia (water intoxication).

DEHYDRATION

• Symptoms - Dehydration symptoms include reduction in coordination, fatigue, and impaired judgment.
• Treatment - Rest in cool, shady area. Replenish liquids. Drink cool water.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

• Symptoms - Heat exhaustion symptoms include fatigue, nausea, lightheadedness, fainting, headache, muscle cramps, irritability, and exhaustion. There may be heavy sweating if liquids have been consumed. The symptoms usually occur after the exertion that caused it, even after water has been taken to improve the dehydration.
• Treatment - Heat exhaustion is not life threatening and goes away with enough rest and water, but can escalate to heat stroke if not quickly addressed. The condition can be treated more quickly by consuming electrolyte solutions such as power drinks or a teaspoon of sodium chloride salt dissolved in a liter of cold water. The water should be drunk slowly over 30 minutes or more while resting in a cool, shady location. Water can be poured over the person to cool them off, or he can sit in a stream if the water is not too cold.

HEATSTROKE

• Symptoms - Heat stroke symptoms include red, hot skin because all the surface blood vessels are dilated. It is possible to have heat stroke with wet skin, especially on hot, humid days, but when caused from extended dehydration, there is usually little sweat present. When the brain begins to overheat, it affects behaviors and the victim may become disoriented, irritable and combative, and have hallucinations. They will finally collapse and die if not treated.
• Treatment - Cooling down the victim quickly is the first goal. Cooling the head and neck should be top priority. Place the victim in a cool, shady place if possible. Remove his clothing, spray water over his body, apply wet bandannas, and fan the victim to promote evaporation. Encourage the victim to drink cool water.
  
  Any heat stroke victim needs to go to the hospital as soon as possible.

HYPONATREMIA – (DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER THAT CAN CAUSE AN IMBALANCE OF WATER TO SALT IN YOUR BODY)

• Symptoms – When the water to salt balance is off, and there is too much water in the body, the cells of the body will swell with water. When the brain begins to swell from too much water in the brain cells the symptoms can include abnormal mental status, confusion, decreased consciousness, hallucinations, and even coma.
• Treatment - Treatments to correct hyponatremia may include intravenous (IV) fluids, medication for symptoms, oxygen through a mask or a breathing machine and/or water and salt restriction.
  
  Any victim of hyponatremia needs to go to a hospital as soon as possible.

THE BEST APPROACH TO ANY OF THESE ILLNESSES IS TO KNOW YOUR OWN LIMITATIONS. DO NOT ATTEMPT AN AGGRESSIVE CANYON HIKE IF YOUR BODY IS NOT UP TO THE CHALLENGE.