Dealing with the heat...

[Zorlac]

I dont cope all that well in the heat at the best of times, but Vegas is likely to be hotter than the UK has ever been in my lifetime (UK record is 101.3 °F, and I was melting!)..... that kind of worries me a little...

I was wondering if anyone can provide us pasty white dudes from ~100% cloud covered countries some hints and tips about the best way to deal with the heat in Vegas? I know we will be inside a lot of the time, but there will be times when we will have to venture outside for whatever reason (DC Shoot, for example). Sunscreen, hats and constant hydration seem to be the standard procedure, but anything else that might help would be greatly appreciated. Does the lower humidity take the edge off the heat, even a little?

(Sorry if this should be in another forum section, please feel free to move it to wherever it needs to go)

[not5150]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Get a neck wrap... basically a rolled up towel with some crystals in it to absorb water. Soak it in water and put it in the fridge.

Wear it when you venture outside.

[securityninja]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Hi Zorlac,

I feel your pain - originally from the UK and now in Ireland!

Heat wise I have to say Vegas was nothing like I'd ever experienced before. The things I've learned over the past few years are (that are outside of what you have already listed) listed below:

1) I buy drops for my eyes as the heat in Vegas makes my eyes really sore, I get similar with my nose so I have something for that as well. This could be the heat, the air conditioning *everywhere* or both.

2) Hydration is important but try to think about what you are using to hydrate yourself. The need to replace electrolytes is very important especially if combine caffeine, alcohol and that heat!

3) Hat is a definite, I got the top of my head burned last year and I wasn't out for too long without my hat - it was the middle of the day so I should have known better!

SN

[eris]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Get a neck wrap... basically a rolled up towel with some crystals in it to absorb water. Soak it in water and put it in the fridge.

Wear it when you venture outside.

Something like this.

If you can't find something like that, a wet bandanna is useful as well, and you can continually re-wet it. It can be worn around the neck or on the head under a hat. This creates a cooling through evaporation and will be especially useful at the shoot.

Hi Zorlac,

1) I buy drops for my eyes as the heat in Vegas makes my eyes really sore, I get similar with my nose so I have something for that as well. This could be the heat, the air conditioning *everywhere* or both.

Absolutely. Saline drops are better than a chemical drop such as those used to "remove red eye." A good thing for the nose is a product called "Ayr" or similar saline gel. Might help if you have a snoring roommate as well!

2) Hydration is important but try to think about what you are using to hydrate yourself. The need to replace electrolytes is very important especially if combine caffeine, alcohol and that heat!

Another great tip. Water stops being useful for simple hydration in the desert heat, especially out in the open desert. Fluids with electrolytes are absolutely essential. Sports drink such as Gatorade, Vitamin Waters, etc.

3) Hat is a definite, I got the top of my head burned last year and I wasn't out for too long without my hat - it was the middle of the day so I should have known better!

A hat with some kind of brim will also help keep your eyes from drying out quite as fast since you won't be squinting against the bright desert glare.

I would also recommend lotion for your skin. The intense heat pulls moisture from everywhere.

Also, lip balm regardless of how much time you spend outside. Both the heat and the air conditioning will dry your lips to the point they can crack and bleed.

Remember, what you wear matters as well. It may seem like a good idea to wear shorts due to heat, but if you are not used to the sun, any exposed skin becomes a target for sunburn and drying.

[Zorlac]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Ah, neck wraps... I didnt realise they "actively" cooled, I thought they were just a naff fashion statement and soaked up the sweat :) Just ordered one of them.

Nose/eye drops... good call, it didnt even cross my mind. Same for lip balm...

Lots of good advice so far, many thanks...

[shrdlu]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

I've lived in desert places most of my life, and I like the heat. I also like not having heat stroke.

Wear light colored loose clothing. Understand that an uncovered body is harder to keep cool. You don't see people in the deserts wearing shorts and wife beaters (or halter tops). They wear loose robes, and those turbans are usually soaked with water before they wrap them to wear in the morning.

Wear a hat. Yes, I know everyone else has also said this, but it's important that you do so. Watch the alcohol intake, if you're not used to the heat, because it will aggravate the dehydration (and affect your judgment).

Get out of the sun, sit down, rest, if you start to feel woozy. Try to be with friends, preferably someone who will notice that you are unusually flushed, or are not sweating (not sweating is bad), or seem disoriented. Sun/heat stroke is serious business.

[YenTheFirst]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Depending on the weather, your sweat can evaporate as soon as it's excreted. The practical upshot of this is you don't *feel* like you're sweating, but you are. Be aware of this fact. Hydrate even if you don't feel like you're sweating.

Vegas is a very car-centric town. It's not really dense enough to walk to most places, and there isn't a good public transit system. If you're planning on going somewhere in particular, double-check the walking distance on Google maps or similar.

When you return to the [safe, cool] indoors, I recommend giving your face a wash - you'll feel quite refreshed.

[astcell]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Zorlac, my g/f is from the UK and I took her to Vegas. She was amazed that it was over 100 degrees at 11pm. When the sun is out it is fun for no one. Remember to drink lots of water, stay hydrated! Coffee and alcohol do not count. Also get some sun screen, I will have SPF 50 in a can. Things like wearing a hat or a neck wrap are good ideas but they make you feel better, it does not mean you are better. Keep the water flowing!

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

the one year (DC17 maybe?) that i spent something like two full weeks in Vegas i was utterly ruined by the end of it... as people have said, the mix of desert heat and sometimes awful air-conditioning drying out the rooms is killer.

i am so glad we are at a nicer place like the Rio this year. the Riv was fun in many ways, but that year i remember my room's air conditioning unit seemed to be from the 60s and made our room drier than a bag of flour. by the time Monday rolled around i was just sitting in the bathroom while the shower ran on full blast, all hot water, trying to steam my lungs and throat back to reality.

on the plus side, i never again get upset about "hot and humid" days. people like to complain occasionally "man, it's warm out... but it's the humidity that's killing me" and i just think "yeah, well at least you can still breathe and swallow food."

hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. you can tell in the bathroom if you are doing so adequately...

Winning
You're Alright
Could Be Better
Yer Doin' It Wrong

... anyone who has been in the service might tell you stories of the color card in a lot of latrines. A lot like the little test kits that you see folk using to check pool chemical levels, it can tell you all you need to know and then advise you of how much water to drink.

[Dallas]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

We have a saying at Burningman - which is in the Black Rock Desert for 7-8 days.

PISS CLEAR.

the one year (DC17 maybe?) that i spent something like two full weeks in Vegas i was utterly ruined by the end of it... as people have said, the mix of desert heat and sometimes awful air-conditioning drying out the rooms is killer.

i am so glad we are at a nicer place like the Rio this year. the Riv was fun in many ways, but that year i remember my room's air conditioning unit seemed to be from the 60s and made our room drier than a bag of flour. by the time Monday rolled around i was just sitting in the bathroom while the shower ran on full blast, all hot water, trying to steam my lungs and throat back to reality.

on the plus side, i never again get upset about "hot and humid" days. people like to complain occasionally "man, it's warm out... but it's the humidity that's killing me" and i just think "yeah, well at least you can still breathe and swallow food."

hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. you can tell in the bathroom if you are doing so adequately...

Winning
You're Alright
Could Be Better
Yer Doin' It Wrong

... anyone who has been in the service might tell you stories of the color card in a lot of latrines. A lot like the little test kits that you see folk using to check pool chemical levels, it can tell you all you need to know and then advise you of how much water to drink.

[Zorlac]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Does the heat bring the bugs out to play? The UK bugs seem to think I taste good for some reason, so I expect their (ex-)colonial relatives to be just as insistent...

[astcell]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Does the heat bring the bugs out to play? The UK bugs seem to think I taste good for some reason, so I expect their (ex-)colonial relatives to be just as insistent...

I've never noticed. It's so hot that I don't really care.

[YenTheFirst]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

Does the heat bring the bugs out to play? The UK bugs seem to think I taste good for some reason, so I expect their (ex-)colonial relatives to be just as insistent...

I've never had a problems with insects in Vegas. Too hot for them, too ;)

[charliex]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

I'm from the uk and live in vegas(well at least thats where my stuff is), you get used to it. the dryness does help a lot, i'd much rather be in 100-120F vegas than +75F florida or houston.

good thing about vegas is you can mostly move around in AC, casino to casino, taxi, monorail..

also if you've never been, it stays stupid hot all night too, which a lot of people don't expect, but it can be 100+ at night too.

[not5150]

Re: Dealing with the heat...

One trick I learned in Thailand is to keep your clean clothes in the freezer. Change into them when you go outside.