The warning signs of impending disaster

Perhaps you don't consider yourself an athlete when you're riding your motorcycle on the road. But in intense hot weather, you should.

Think about it. When the summer turns really steamy, the folks in cars all have their windows rolled up and the AC on max, while you swelter inside your armored clothes. So even if you couldn't do a Marine pushup if your life depended on it, that puts you in a category with others who need to manage their body temperature in the face of extreme conditions - people like runners, bicyclists and triathletes.

A long, hot day on the bike can raise the real possibility of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. And the worst part is that these heat-related conditions don't just make you uncomfortable; they can make you downright dangerous.

Even before you realize you have a problem, mild dehydration can reduce your coordination and impair your judgment, exactly what you don't need when you're trying to stay alive in traffic. But if it gets beyond that stage, the hazards quickly increase.

That makes it imperative that you carefully monitor yourself for signs of trouble and, like an athlete, head off potential problems before they come up. Here's what to look for:

Dehydration

Simply put, you suffer dehydration when your body loses water and blood salts faster than you replenish them. You may think you'll feel thirsty long before you face any danger, but that's not necessarily true. In extreme conditions, you can lose moisture so quickly that you become dehydrated before you even notice a problem.

Symptoms of mild dehydration include a flushed face, dry and warm skin, dizziness, weakness, cramping in the arms and legs, headache and dry mouth. If you notice any or all of these, don't ignore them - it just gets worse.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion follows dehydration and can hit you even if you drink water after becoming dehydrated.

That's because the symptoms of heat exhaustion are brought on primarily by the loss of the blood salts. And while water can supply the fluid you need, it doesn't replace those salts.

Surprisingly, your body temperature can be normal even while you're suffering from heat exhaustion. Symptoms include pale skin, profuse sweating, weakness, fatigue, nausea and lightheadedness.

By itself, heat exhaustion isn't life-threatening, but it can lead to heat stroke, which is.

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Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is basically severe dehydration. It means your body's cooling functions have failed and your temperature is out of control.

How bad can it be? Imagine running a liquid-cooled bike with no water in the radiator. How long do you think the engine would last?

Like that motorcycle, you're literally on the clock when you go into heat stroke. Without emergency care, you could die within 30 minutes.

What are the signs of heat stroke? Sweating stops, and the skin becomes dry and hot. You may have a headache, and your body temperature can quickly spike to 106 degrees or more.

Other symptoms include being confused or angry, or acting strangely. You may experience severe nausea, dizziness and even feel chilled.

In extreme cases, you may pass out and stop breathing.

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What Steps Can You Take?

What steps can you take to head off heat-related problems while riding?

First and foremost, drink plenty of water. Most people lose about a gallon of water a day just carrying on their normal lives. So you can imagine how much water you lose riding on a hot day.

Start adding extra water even before you head out on the road, and keep drinking water all day. The simplest way to tell if you're getting enough fluids is the bathroom test. If you don't need to make a bathroom stop every few hours, you're headed for trouble.

Of course, water's good, but it won't replace those vital body salts. For that, you might want a specialized sports drink.

Perhaps you�ve always walked by that aisle in the convenience store, figuring those things were strictly for athletes. Well, remember what we said about motorcyclists being like athletes in hot weather? This is where it starts. Drink early and often, whether you're thirsty or not. The worst that will happen is you'll have to take an extra bathroom break or two, which is a whole lot better than the alternative.

If you know you�re facing a hot day on the road, there are other steps you can take to head off problems. Get out on the road early so you reach your destination before the worst heat of the afternoon. Take extra breaks to cool down. And rather than eating a couple of big meals during the day, snack lightly and often, making sure you include some salty foods in the mix.

Finally, try to wear clothing that lets the sweat evaporate off your skin. A set of sealed-up black leathers can turn into a sauna suit under a hot sun, so look for jackets with plenty of venting, and lighter colors that don't absorb so much of the sun's energy. One of the worst things you can do is riding wearing only a T-shirt or shorts. Not only is it unsafe in case of an accident, but exposed skin wicks away even more moisture, and encourages sunburn.

You can also help wick away heat by soaking layers of clothing in water at each rest stop. A wet bandanna tied around your neck, or even a soaked T-shirt under your jacket can help you shed heat for miles down the road.

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What Should You Do?

What should you do if you recognize symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke in yourself or a riding partner?

For mild dehydration or heat exhaustion, first get out of the sun, take off any heavy clothing like riding jackets or pants, and try to cool off by fanning or wiping a wet bandanna on the skin.

If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie on your back and raise your legs about 6 or 8 inches so they're above the heart. If your stomach is queasy, lie on your side.

Also, drink cool water, but don't gulp it. Drinking a small cup of water or sports drink every 15 minutes should do it. If you don't have a sports drink available, you can add a teaspoon of salt to a quart of water and then drink that combination over about an hour. And yes, pretzels, chips or other salty snacks can help, too.

All of that can help, but it is possible that you'll need more treatment than you can administer at a rest stop. If the condition doesn't improve quickly, it's time to call 911 for emergency help.

If you suspect that a riding companion is going into heat stroke, call for assistance first. Then, if ice is available, put together some ice packs and place them in the armpits and groin area to help bring the body temperature down. Remember, the clock is running and you need to act quickly to head off disaster.

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