Surviving Summer in the Desert

Summer is finally here and for those of us in the Sonoran Desert it may come with some apprehension. While the rest of the country is looking forward to spending time outdoors, swimming, having picnics and late-night barbecues, we here often look at Summer as a time to shut ourselves into our air-conditioned homes, draw the blinds and try to stay cool. This time of year, temperatures can stay in the triple digits with lows which rarely drop below 80 degrees Fahrenheit at night. When we can stay in the AC or the pool, we will be fine, but if you get caught out in the desert this summer due to a broken-down vehicle or power outage, we have some tips to ensure you survive the extreme desert heat.

Stay Hydrated

It is important to stay hydrated in the desert. We recommend bringing extra water with you everywhere you go. If you do find yourself short on water and feeling the extreme heat, we recommend you keep your mouth shut to conserve water in your body. Talk as little as possible and do your best not to exert yourself as heavy breathing will deplete your body of fluid quicker. 

Don’t Drink All of Your Water At Once

If you have clean water, you should definitely drink it, but take your time. While it may seem tempting to chug it all at once, make sure to swish it in your mouth. This will help you absorb water more fully. You can keep track of your level of hydration by monitoring your urine color. The darker the color the more dehydrated you are.

Don’t Leave Your Vehicle

In the event of a breakdown, it can be a larger emergency when it occurs in the desert in the summertime. Whether you are on the side of a busy highway or in the middle of nowhere the heat can be incredibly dangerous! We recommend that you stay with your vehicle as this not only provides cover from the heat and wind but allows search parties to find you easier. If you do have to leave your car, make sure you can find your way back and wait until the sun is lower in the sky to go out so it’s less hot.

Maintain Your Hunger

Like water, you should eat, but don’t eat too much. Smaller portions will allow you to maintain your energy and conserve food. Eating too fast will actually cause you to be thirstier, meaning you’ll be more likely to chug much needed water.

Avoid Sitting on the Ground

The desert surface can be 30 degrees hotter than the air temperature, so it’s best to come up with ways of avoiding sitting on the ground. Lay out a blanket, sit on a jacket or sit upon a branch or rock to keep yourself cooler.

Stay Dressed

When you are hot you may be tempted to take off clothes, however, this can be dangerous for your skin. Taking off your clothes may speed up dehydration and cause a sunburn.

Control Your Emotions

It is much easier said than done when you are in a crisis, however you’ll have much more of a survival chance when you stay level headed and calm. The worst thing you can do in an emergency is to descend into blind panic. While urgency may help with focus towards finding a solution, screaming, and stressing will only waste valuable energy you will need for an unpredictable future. Save your energy to create a rational survival plan through the desert heat.

Plan Ahead

We find that prevention is the best solution to surviving the desert heat. This means that you should maintain your car and make sure it’s running as smoothly as possible. Of course, accidents are bound to happen, but the less factors that can go wrong, the better. In addition, we recommend always traveling with extra water in case an emergency strikes. Don’t just rely on your smartphone as you never know when you’ll find yourself out of range or with a dead battery and no back up. Carry maps with you along with emergency flares and reflective blankets.

CC Sunscreens

We at CC Sunscreens, we sincerely hope that you don’t find yourself in an emergency but it’s always better to be prepared. When you are finally resting safely, back at home, you deserve a little something extra. Our patio shades and window shades block out 90 percent of harmful UV rays as well as reduce the solar gain in your home so you can enjoy the summer heat. To find out more contact us today to set up a home consultation.