 The Motorcycle Safety Foundation talks about hypothermia
- cool. Let's talk about something closer to home
(Heat). Refreshments like soda, coffee (or any caffeinated drink) or alcoholic drinks can actually contribute to dehydration, instead of helping to alleviate it.
Hydrate before you ride - Drink before you get thirsty - Thirst is a very late sign of dehydration!Bare skin absorbs MORE heat from the sun
- Wear loose cotton to absorb moisture and help cooling. Hot air
on your skin at a temperature higher than your body temperature will heat
you and dehydrate.
Don't wear cotton underwear - see
Monkey Butt
Prevention Sport drinks, Replace not only fluids but also the
essential electrolytes the body loses. BUT - Some energy drinks are loaded with sugar and caffeine - ingredients
that promote dehydration. Researchers say the drinks are
so dilute, offering such a high ratio of water to salt,
that they just contribute to hyponatremia. Schedule rest stops
- Get some AC - cool off frequently. In
Florida and southern states, it can be like a sauna.
High humidity, miserable and sticky, get some ac, stop
in a rest area, 7-11, Cracker Barrel, wherever, cool
off. You'll know when its time to go again. Carry bottled water
- like it cold or cool? Buy a icepack, keep close to
the bottled water or carry a large ziplock bag, fill it with ice often
(it will melt quickly).
Remember to eat salt, to avoid hyponatremia. a hydration
pack such as a CamelBak will work just fine, but the
liquid in the tube gets hot. Chapstick - keep your lips
from cracking Wet neck ties - If your core is
overheated then the blood moving to all your extremities
is overheated. Your neck may feel cool but you may be
overheated. DRINK and take salt! Stop cool off. Use sunscreen on all exposed
skin.
hyponatremia - low levels of sodium in the
blood - A low concentration of sodium in the blood as a result of drinking too much water, sweating profusely or a combination of the two.
Solution - eat salty foods, or salt tablets. The
symptoms are almost the same as heat exhaustion. As you drink more and more, the salt level in your blood starts to go down. You’re simply diluting your blood. Drink
lots, but take salt. (and all this time you thought salt
was bad for you.....lol) Motorcycle helmets - Studies show that motorcycle
helmets will lessen the likelihood of dehydration by diminishing the effects of hot wind and
helping to retain body moisture. Hey, that's cool. If it's too hot out take the car!!!
Motorcycling is supposed to be fun, it's not about
macho! You're not a wimp - just smart. |
