Ever suffer a heat stroke while fishing? No fun!

[Waterfoul]

While fishing a tournament on Sunday with my buddy Ron, I suffered a heat stroke.  It hit very suddenly, made me dizzy, light headed, nauseaus, and made me sweat profusely.  One minute I was on the front of the boat fishing a drop shot, the next I was on my knees so I wouldn't fall out of the boat telling Ron I didn't feel good and he had to take over the front.  I went to the back deck and sat down, dug out a couple waters and drank them down.  I then took a wet towel and put it over my head and layed down for a bit with my feet in the water.  This helped but I was still not ready to fish up front by any means.  Spent the rest of the day sitting in the back seat with the wet towel on my head fishing a senko or drop shot as I didn't have the strength to do much of anything else.  I even had Ron drive my truck home as I didn't think it would be a good idea for me to do it.

Now it's 2 days later.  I still feel like crap.  I even took yesterday off work (something I almost NEVER do!).  Anyone else ever have this happen to them?  Dr. said I should feel better in a day or two and to rest and drink plenty of water.  I've lost about 8 lbs since Sunday as well... which seems strange.

Anyway, when fishing in the heat make sure you keep plenty of water in your boats!!  I always do and sure am glad I had them on Sunday or Ron might have had to call 911.

[Mike S.]

You looked really bad at the weigh in. It was definitely hot. I would like to say I am pretty well conditioned to it due to my line of work. I spend my days standing over 3 furnaces that are 2800 degrees.

I have never had that happen, but I have seen a few people drop in the shop. You definitely have to stay hydrated. Lots of water.

Hope you get to feeling better. Rest up.

[djkimmel]

Very serious situation. Bass tournament anglers are notorious for not drinking enough fluids (my opinion anyway). I know how not drinking enough and/or being out in too much heat for too long affects me (try the Amazon for 6 days if you really want to test yourself).

If your electrolytes balance passes a certain point you can be in critical condition before you know it, needing immediate emergency treatment. If you stop sweating, you should be on your way to the ER.

I remember a boat partner recently saying he had never seen someone drink so much fluids as me during a day on the water. My response, 'what's your point?' He was pretty grumpy. He didn't drink hardly anything but I only tell adults what to do so many times...

[Waterfoul]

Like I said, I keep water in the boat all the time (which reminds me... I better go re-stock it) and drink more than enough.  I never did quit sweating, and know that if I did at any point Ron would have been dropping me off at the ramp into a waiting ambulance. 

Anyway, my point keep water in your boats.  Drink it.  I also think the wet towel I kept over my head and upper torso helped a lot too.  I always keep a towel on the boat as well...

[Skulley]

Gatorade.............lots and lots of Gatorade.  Puts the electrolytes back and gives you enough sodium.  One loses lots of sodium when sweating a lot because of hot weather.  The wet towel over your head was good sound thinking. 


BD                           

[fish hound]

While I would love to crack a joke about you overheating with a dropshot, I won't, as I've seen 3 people drop from full blown heat stroke, including 2 of them in convusions.  These were in very hot humid climates ( NC, Africa, and the Red Sea), and its no joke.  The key with hydration is it starts 1-2 days before an exertion.  They had color charts above the urinals in boot camp, if your urine is this color, you need to drink this much ASAP.  Basically, any color in your urine, and you're not fully hydrated, and you need the electrolytes to go with it.

On a side note, did the Dr do any blood work, there are things that make your body do strange things with your water intake.

[Waterfoul]

Nope.  Dr. talked to me over the phone, asked a lot of questions... he was actually on vacation and called me at work after I called his office.

Also, my Dr. friend Aaron told me that too much gatorade (or other electrolyte rich drink) can actually give you the "trots."    At some point (usually at about 2 full bottles) your body no longer needs the extra electrolytes and simply gets rid of them the easiest way possible...  I have ulcerative colitis.  I don't need any help in that area!  One or two sports drinks and then water water water is the best way to stay hydrated.

Feeling a bit better tonight... finally ate some real food.

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Glad to hear you're feeling better Mike !!

[Redbone]

Sounds like West Nile!

I have seen a few people topple over like trees from Heat Stroke.  Always keeping water in the boat is critical.

[Big dreams]

I had a few issues with dehydration and heat in the Army.  One of them actually stopped me from going to Ranger School.  The worst was in basic training on a Georgia fire range in August.  The DS threw a white sheet over my entire body and poored teeth chattering cold water over me until I was sitting in a huge puddle of water.  After two IV's (two large which is the max you can have), I was able to stand up and walk away.  It did take about two days to get over that. 

One guy from the platoon died from a heat stroke on a road march in North Carolina.  He died before the medics showed up.  So yes, drinking water is extremely important.  It can set in fast and the damage can be irreversible.  Good topic to cover.

[Mike S.]

Sounds like West Nile!

I have seen a few people topple over like trees from Heat Stroke.  Always keeping water in the boat is critical.

West Nile!!!!!

[Waterfoul]

Sounds like West Nile!

I have seen a few people topple over like trees from Heat Stroke.  Always keeping water in the boat is critical.

West Nile!!!!!

I did get bit by one mosquito that morning.. but only one.  But I don't think West Nile symptoms show up in less than 3 hours.  Do they?

[Mike S.]

Only in your case. Symptoms are immediate. Feeling better today?

[Waterfoul]

Feeling a lot better today.

[Mike S.]

Glad to hear it.