GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On June 10th, at about 2:27, Colorado National Monument rangers received reports of a medical issue in monument canyon.
Hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities are in full swing now that summer has arrived, but without caution, a fun day outdoors could wind up fatal, like it did for 54-year-old Marsha cook of Iowa, last week while hiking in Colorado National Monument.
Community Outreach Specialist Ellis Thompson with Grand Junction Fire Department tells Western Slope Now the three main symptoms of heat stroke are nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating. If these signs show up, it's best to take some cover and give your body a break.
If body temperatures continue to rise, heat exhaustion sets in - a life-threatening condition.
At this stage, nausea and dizziness could grow worse, and sweating could stop altogether. Your heartrate becomes rapid, but weak, and a splitting headache could be on the list too.
As always, make sure you have water for your four-legged friends…because dogs don't sweat and it's hard to know when they're overheated. And drink plenty of water yourself.
Thompson tells Western Slope Now her final piece of advice - get your hiking, errands and yardwork done in the morning or late evening if you can.