July 2008

In a recent letter to the editor in the Casa Grande Dispatch, Mrs. R. Scott asked that I focus my monthly letters more on crime prevention and issues that directly impact Pinal County. The majority of my letters have focused on issues that impact Pinal County, such as: domestic violence, elder abuse, youth violence, substance abuse, and gang-violence. I do respect her comments, though, and will do a better job of focusing more on the specific issues that impact Pinal County.

Because we are entering what looks to be a very hot summer, I want to once again share some tips I believe will save lives. Every summer our Sonoran Desert and our rough mountainous terrain try to claim the lives of hikers who traverse our beautiful county. Pinal County has much to offer in places like Picacho Peak National Park, the Superstition Mountains, exploring the desert trails of Pinal County by four-wheel drive, looking for Apache tears in Superior or camping at any one of Pinal County’s different campsites.

This summer, hiking Pinal County desert areas and the famous Superstition Mountains will pose many dangers, including death, for those not familiar or skilled to take on the Arizona heat. There are 10 Hiking Essentials you must know before entering Pinal’s deserts and mountain ranges. The following information is from the Superstition Search & Rescue Team’s Web site at www.superstition-sar.org:

First know your abilities as a hiker. If you are a novice or a little out of shape it doesn’t mean you should avoid the desert. Nor does it mean that the above-average hiker already has all the skills he or she needs. It means that anyone who wants to hike Pinal’s deserts must start with relatively easy hikes and work progressively up through harder ones. To paraphrase Dirty Harry, “A man’s gotta know his limitations.” Knowing your abilities and recognizing your limitations are the most important skills of all; ones that many go to the wilderness to learn. When you feel yourself approaching your limits, do not attempt harder hikes. Stay at that level of difficulty for a while and you’ll be surprised to see how much there still is to learn.

Any time you go on a hike, whether it's a short half-hour trek on a well-known trail or a multiple-day backpacking trip into the wilderness, you should always have essential items with you. Because you never know what's going to happen or what you may need, most important is to know how to use the gear you’ll carry!

The following are 10 Hiking Essentials:

1. Water – Always carry at least one gallon of water per person per day.
2. Map – So you can get where you're going or communicate your location to rescuers. If you get lost, you may be able to find features on the map to help pinpoint your location.
3. Compass.
4. Flashlight.
5. Extra food.
6. Extra clothing.
7. Sunglasses.
8. First aid supplies.
9. Knife or multi-tool.
10. Matches or fire starter.

I might add an eleventh item to the 10 Hiking Essentials: a cell phone. In some places of Pinal County, a cell phone will not have service. However, in those places that do, it will afford you a life-saving 9-1-1 call if you are lost or hurt and need help.

Besides getting lost, the biggest danger about hiking Pinal’s deserts in the summer is heat illness. The following information is from the Pinal County Sonoran Search and Rescue Team’s Web site, www.sonoransar.org:

Heat illnesses are very easily prevented. To avoid a heat related illness, always carry and drink enough fluids. This cannot be emphasized enough! In the Arizona desert in summer, if you are thirsty, it is too late. You must keep drinking! Always carry plenty of water; it's the one thing you can bring with you that is a guarantee to save your life. Prescription and other drugs can increase your chances of a heat illness. Wear a hat that shields your head from the sun and light, and wear loose clothing. Do not remove clothes when you get hot! Your clothes block the sun from your skin while removing your clothes exposes your skin to the sun and your body will heat up and dry out faster.

Early symptoms of heat-related illnesses are: dizziness; fatigue; muscle cramps; nausea; profuse sweating; thirst; weakness; and light-headedness. Later symptoms: cool, moist skin; dilated pupils; headache; pale skin; irrational behavior; nausea; vomiting; and unconsciousness.

In most cases, the first problem will be muscle cramps caused by loss of salt from heavy sweating. This is the first real sign from your body that something major is wrong. If untreated, cramps will lead to heat exhaustion, which is caused by dehydration. If heat exhaustion goes untreated, you will transition to heat stroke, which will send you into shock and can cause brain damage and/or death. Heat stroke is when the body can no longer cool itself and usually you will stop sweating. Once you go into heat stroke, it only takes minutes before permanent damage is done to your body and brain.

Symptoms of heat stroke include: dry, hot, red skin; fever above 102° (could be 108° or higher); dark urine; extreme confusion; rapid/shallow breathing; rapid/weak pulse; seizures; and unconsciousness.

Treatment for heat stroke includes: Remove the victim from the heat and elevate their feet. Removing them from the heat may be difficult but at least get them in the shade and put something between them and the ground. Apply cool wet clothes, or direct water, to the victim’s skin and fan them. If possible, place cold compresses on the victim's neck, groin and arm pits. Stop cooling the victim when their body temperature drops below 102° as it could cause hypothermia. Give the victim beverages (such as Gatorade) to sip slowly, about a half cup every 15 minutes. If they drink too fast, they will vomit. Water will suffice, but salt water or a sports drink is better. If the victim starts having seizures, protect them from injury. Do not underestimate heat illness, get medical help ASAP! DO NOT give the victim medication; DO NOT give the victim salt tablets; DO NOT give the victim liquids with alcohol or caffeine; DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth if they are unconscious.

Please, if you hike our beautiful desert, practice the information in this letter. It will save your life.

Until next month, thank you and God Bless.

Chris Vásquez
Sheriff Pinal County