Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Heat Stroke is a potentially life or death situation, so it’s an emergency medical situation.

Brian Farr is the director for Athletic Training Education at the University of Texas. He says the one of the defining symptoms of heat stroke is the internal body temperature.

About 104 to 105 and above is considered to be in the heat stroke area. That’s when you really start to see some organ damage and some other issues that can be life threatening.

It is important to treat someone quickly when they start to exhibit signs of heat stroke.

The number one thing is rapid cooling. That is the most important thing. So ideally, they’re submersed from the shoulders or the mid-chest down in a cold tub full of cool water. If you don’t have that, removing them from the heat into a shaded environment. Removing clothes within reason. You can apply bags to the back of the neck; the arm pits, the groin area, behind the knees. Something that will cool the person as quickly as possible and the second thing is getting emergency medical services there.

While heat stroke is a life threatening condition, Farr says it is also a preventable one. Visitors to Texas State Parks can help prevent heat stroke by staying hydrated and getting acclimated to Texas heat.

For more information on heat related illnesses, visit passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texans with a passion for the outdoors may put themselves at risk for heat related illnesses this summer when the sun’s heat is at its most relentless.

But it’s not just the heat that puts Texans at risk. Brian Farr, the director for athletic training education at the University of Texas, explains…

It’s actually the temperature and humidity combination. One of the few ways that we dissipate heat is by sweating. If the humidity is very high, you’ll sweat but it won’t cool off and evaporate. And available on the internet are temperature guidelines. It actually puts you into different zones. There’s a white zone, it is safe, a yellow zone – be cautious and a red zone – you shouldn’t have activity at all.

Other factors increase the risk.

People, who aren’t used to the heat in Texas, aren’t used to exercising in that heat. So one of the easiest things to do is just get acclimated. Light exercise, gradually increasing so that you know that you’re ready for it and doing so in the heat. A lot of people, they’ll ride the bike or run inside of a gym where its nice and cool and then think that’s good enough, I’m training for the outside. So being acclimated. People who are overweight with body fat and even people who are heavily muscled, those are big insulators.

Farr also says that being hydrated, wearing proper clothing and getting enough sleep can help lower your risk.

More information about heat related illnesses at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Outdoor Safety: Heatstroke Risk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The May issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is traditionally the birding issue, and this month, says it offers readers a little sizzle. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

You know, May’s not exactly the month for romance, but in bird terms, it is. And you know—birds—the important things for them to do are survive and reproduce. So, the focus of one of our articles this month is on the courtship rituals of the birds.

Isn’t that just the most romantic bird story? I just think that’s very sweet, and every bit as spicy as any modern day romance novel. So, if you’re looking for romance, and February is long gone, turn to the May issue. Even is you’re not into birds, you’re going to find something there that you’ll love.

Thanks, Louie. That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TP&W May Magazine Preview Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The May issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is traditionally the birding issue, and this month, says it offers readers a little sizzle. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

You know, May’s not exactly the month for romance, but in bird terms, it is. And you know—birds—the important things for them to do are survive and reproduce. So, the focus of one of our articles this month is on the courtship rituals of the birds.

Isn’t that just the most romantic bird story? I just think that’s very sweet, and every bit as spicy as any modern day romance novel. So, if you’re looking for romance, and February is long gone, turn to the May issue. Even is you’re not into birds, you’re going to find something there that you’ll love.

Thanks, Louie. That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TP&W May Magazine Preview Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas Outdoor Stories from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Ask Eveline Evans about the value of spending time outdoors and she’s not shy about sharing her views.

It’s just a great stress reliever. It’s wonderful to get out and get away from the urban areas, and enjoy the trees and the streams. I mean, it’s just wonderful to get away.

Eveline gets away with family whenever she can. She says sharing time outdoors with loved ones—even if it’s just taking a walk in nature—is critical to healthy, balanced relationships. It brings families closer…it encourages dialogues.

Well, I think it’s very important. My husband and I, we go walking all the time together in different locations. We love the Texas state parks. We’ve done Big Bend and the Davis Mountains, Caprock Canyons, Palo Duro Canyon…all of those are just wonderful places to go out and walk. You can talk about anything it seems like. Every little thing that comes up—you can explain to younger ones your value systems, or whatever. Why when you pass a snake you’re not supposed to kill it—you just leave it alone, that type stuff.

What do you love about spending time in the outdoors? We want to know. Go to passporttotexas.org and share your outdoor story with us.

That’s our show…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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