Avoiding heat-stroke
E raises your body's temperature, as does dancing in a hot sweaty club. Together this can lead to heat stroke, which in some cases has proved fatal.
There are a few simple steps that can be taken to avoid heat stroke.
- Take time out from dancing to cool down, look out for your mates, and if they look like they're getting too hot get them to chill out too.
- Sip about a pint of water or soft drink every hour to rehydrate yourself. If you're not dancing reduce this to about half a pint, as drinking too much can cause problems (see water intoxication).
- Wear clothes that allow you to stay cool.
The symptoms of heat stroke include a failure to sweat, headaches, muscle cramps, dizziness and vomiting. If somebody shows these signs immediately take them to somewhere less hot, cool them down by running cold water over their wrists, sponging their neck and loosening any tight clothing. Stay calm and be reassuring, as they'll probably feel freaked out. Seek medical assistance and tell the medic what drugs they've taken, you won't get in trouble and it could help save someone's life.
