A recent newspaper article highlighted the bravery of a 5-year-old boy who saved his grandfather's life. The old man had worked all day in the Florida sun without taking the time to drink anything. Over dinner his grandson noted that he looked pale and tired. By supper time, the old man was sitting on the couch, staring straight ahead, non-responsive. According to paramedics, the boy’s 9-1-1 call got help for his grandfather’s heat exhaustion and dehydration, probably saving him from a stroke or something even worse.

The moral of the story? Not just to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. The more important lesson is to drink adequate water or other fluids when working in high heat and humidity.

The Basics - Heat-related illnesses come in three varieties: