With many outdoor activities this weekend  a local emergency medical service wants to keep people safe in the hot temperatures.

Stuart EMS Director Sean Bovinett says when people are in hot temperatures there are three concerns: dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. He says the signs of dehydration can be fatigue, cramps and drowsiness. Bovinett tells Raccoon Valley Radio when a person goes from dehydrated to being heat exhausted it becomes a bigger problem. 

“If you get to heat exhaustion that’s really when you’re going to want to sit down and do something about it because when you’re in heat exhaustion it doesn’t take very long if you don’t stop and do something about it before it becomes heat stroke.” 

He says the signs of heat exhaustion are similar to dehydration but with muscle cramps, high heart rate and body chills. Bovinett explains the biggest symptom of heat stroke is passing out. 

“And that’s when, you know, you would want to call the ambulance or you’d want to take somebody to the E.R.. You know, the ambulance, obviously, I’m kind of biased maybe, but it would be ideal because we can get somebody’s fluids and cool down a lot faster than, you know, just throwing somebody in a car and driving them to the hospital and.”

Bovinett says drinking plenty of water and finding shade will reduce chances of any heat related illnesses.