Late September heat wave prompts call for caution
Race participants urged to stay hydrated as weekend expected to hit humid 30 C
Urgences-santé and Montreal Marathon officials are urging caution ahead of the weekend events in the city, with temperatures reaching an unseasonably high 30 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday, and that’s before the humidex factor.
The humidex is a measure of how hot we are likely to feel; Environment Canada is forecasting a humidex of 37 for Saturday.
Even though the 42-kilometre marathon has been cancelled, the half marathon and other races are going ahead as planned.
On Friday, Urgences-santé issued a series of tips to help keep runners safe. They include:
KEY POINTS FOR RUNNERS:
Hydrate two hours before the start of the race and drink often during the race. Pour water on your head and body to cool. Eat during the race. Wear light clothing and a cap. Listen to your body and the signals it is sending you.
Marathon organizers also suggested pre-hydration, and gave some other tips, including adding a packet of salt to fluid before drinking it. They also suggest listening for instructions, in case officials deem conditions unsafe.
For spectators, it is important to drink lots of fluids, wear a hat or cap and stay in the shade.
Runners should look out for signs of heat stroke of heat exhaustion, Urgences-santé said.
They include feeling tired, nausea, dizziness, headache, hot flashes or excessive sweating. If you have any of those symptoms, stop running and head to a shaded or air-conditioned area to seek help.
Chest pain or discomfort ( burning or heaviness in the chest), sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, discomfort to other upper-body areas (neck, shoulder, arms, jaw or back) could be a sign of a heart attack.
Stop running immediately, ask for help and call 911.
Even if you aren’t taking part in any marathon or outdoor sporting event, this weekend’s heat can still be dangerous.
The Santé Québec website says excessive heat makes it harder for the body to maintain its normal temperature. Adults should look out for signs of a problem that include headaches, muscle cramps, swollen extremities, red pimples on the skin, unusual fatigue or exhaustion, general discomfort and signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, less frequent urination, dark urine, dry skin, rapid pulse and rapid breathing).
The health department also warns of heat stroke, with symptoms such as dry skin, hot and red or cold and pale, dizziness and vertigo, confused and illogical speech, aggressiveness or bizarre behaviour and general discomfort.
For babies and children, parents should be on the lookout for dry skin, lips or mouth; abnormal skin colour (red or pale); sunken eyes with dark rings; dark and smaller quantity of urine; vomiting and diarrhea; unusual restlessness; irritability or confusion and difficulty breathing; drowsiness; prolonged sleep and difficulty waking up.
It’s important to stay hydrated, the health department says, and spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned space.
Other tips include cold baths or showers, and refreshing your skin with a wet towel several times a day.