Our middle granddaughter got seriously overheated at All Star practice. It was scary. Carlisle was exhibiting the classic signs of heat exhaustion, which can progress into a heatstroke. Thankfully, the adults around her knew what to do and Carlisle is okay, but the whole experience has moved me to write to you, asap.

Rockstars, the weather is heating up and kids everywhere will be practicing and playing in it. Please consider this a vitally important heads-up to teach your kids and your grands about heat exhaustion, today, before it is too late. They need to know the signs and they need to know what to do if they find themselves experiencing any of them. We all do. (I’ve even gone over some of the latest medical recommendations with my farming husband and son.)

I’m not a medical professional, so I’ll be posting information below that I’ve copied directly from the Mayo Clinic’s website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-heat-exhaustion/basics/art-20056651. First, however, I want to speak to one aspect of this that we were discussing in our family. Carlisle’s parents had dropped her off with the advice we give to all of our young athletes. She had reminders like, “Do your best”, “Word hard!”, and “Do what the coach tells you to do” fresh in her ears. Young kids need help understanding when it is okay to speak up and say something about what’s happening with them without feeling like the coach is going to think they’re wimping out or not willing to work hard. I’m not saying Carlisle played longer than she should have because of that advice. We don’t know. I wanted to at least broach the possibility so you would discuss it in your family because we do know that at some point Carlisle was on first base trying to motion to her best friend at shortstop that she couldn’t breathe! We’re so very thankful the coach was tuned in and knew what to do.

One more need-to-know item before we hear from the experts. Due to all of our rain, Carlisle’s team was practicing on the artificial turf of a local football field, and turf heats up much quicker than regular grass. And now, information from the Mayo Clinic:

Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes. Symptoms range in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. Heat exhaustion can begin suddenly or over time, usually after working or playing in the heat, perspiring heavily, or being dehydrated.

Heat exhaustion signs and symptoms include:

• Cool, moist skin with goosebumps when in the heat
• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Low blood pressure upon standing
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Headache

If you suspect heat exhaustion

Untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition. If you suspect heat exhaustion, take these steps immediately:

• Move the person out of the heat and into a shady or air-conditioned place.
• Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly.
• Remove tight or heavy clothing.
• Have the person drink cool water or other nonalcoholic beverages without caffeine.
• Cool the person by spraying or sponging with cool water and fanning.
• Monitor the person carefully.

Contact a doctor if signs or symptoms worsen or if they don’t improve within one hour.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if the person’s condition deteriorates, especially if he or she experiences:

• Fainting
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Inability to drink
• Core body temperature — measured by rectal thermometer — of 104 F (40 C) (heatstroke)

Thanks for reading! May the Good Lord bless and keep you and yours.