NOS88

Almost lost my father this week. He's in his 80's. He got a sore throat, had a hard time swallowing, didn't eat or drink enough and lost 22 pounds in 10 days. With the daily temp creeping up abopve 100 each day for the last week, he should not have been working in his garden. Fortunately, we got him to the hospital in time to get him on the track to recovery. The attending physician said he was possibly hours away from not being able to be brought back. So, if you're fortunate enough to have parents that are still around, and they live in high heat areas, it might be worth checking in on them more than once a week. (I live some distacne from them, and do it via phone).

Retired

Point well taken.

HIPCHIP

This is a good point for all of us....AT ANY AGE!!!!! If it's hot.....DRINK, DRINK, then DRINK SOME MORE! If you're out on a hot ride and get thirsty, it's probably too late as you ARE dehydrated. Heat exhaustion can quickly and easily turn to heat stroke, then death, so take a water break. And if it's humid, dry yourself off and get out of the heat as your sweat can't evaporate and cool you off.

Lost my father in law to dehydration a few years a go, so glad your dad is OK.

PS, beer is NOT OK until WAY later, after you've re-hydrated. Alcohol makes you pee, which dehydrates you! Dang it!!

gcottay

Thanks for the reminder.

Garfield Cat

Not only parents, but the older riders need to "re-balance" their situation. Our conditioning is a dynamic thing.

How many of us go on long rides in really hot and humid weather? If you don't recommend it for 80 year old parents, how much do you ratchet down those kinds of rides for yourself?

kr32

Thanks and so glad your dad is okay! Close call