By Ellie Nahm
Boomba Hey, scholars! I think I speak for us all when I say that it has been a HOT first week at MSA (and I don’t mean your MSA-tionships). Some of you may be wondering “How could this weather possibly get any worse?” Well, I’m here to tell you to count your blessings. Believe it or not, this is not the hottest academy in the history of MSA.
After combing countless weather records, I discovered that the hottest MSA was in the summer of 2012 (when most of us were only 6 or 7 years old). The average high temperature for the June portion of the academy was 100.3° Fahrenheit. You heard me right, scholars, one hundred point three degrees Fahrenheit. Our 2022 MSA (with data from this past week plus expected future temps), only has an average high temperature of 95.5° Fahrenheit.
While we probably aren’t going to hold the record for hottest MSA, it is still incredibly warm outside, and we’re all starting to feel the effects of the heat. During this time it's important to take care of yourself and those around you. Here are some essential tips for staying safe in this weather:
Drink LOTS of water. I mean it. Copious amounts of water. It’s extremely easy to become dehydrated in the Missouri heat and humidity. We want to avoid becoming dehydrated at all costs (and Med Staff will thank you for that).
Don’t spend too much time outside when temperatures are high. Take advantage of that glorious Mark Twain AC. Spending too much time outside in the heat can be damaging for our bodies. Becoming overheated for too long can be dangerous, so it’s important to spend time inside, too.
Take plenty of time to lie down and rest after long days at MSA. Consider skipping out on an afternoon activity here and there to preserve your strength.
Use sunscreen with an SPF >15. Seriously. Every day, people. Sunburn makes it harder for our bodies to regulate their temperature as well as cause dehydration, so it’s vital to protect our skin. The CDC recommends using sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on the label.
When exercising, especially outdoors, take time to rest and don’t push your limits. That means those of you (insane) scholars who love to go running or play basketball in the morning should use caution and check in with your body. Know how much is too much for you to handle.
“What should I do if my friends or I start feeling sick?” Great question! The most important thing we want to do is prevent heat induced illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The first step in staying safe is being able to recognize the signs of these conditions, as well as be able to differentiate between them.
Next we need to know how to treat these conditions. The easiest thing to do is follow the set of instructions from earlier in the article to prevent getting sick in the first place, but nobody is perfect. So what do you do if you find yourself with heat stroke or heat exhaustion? Well, it depends on which one you’re dealing with.
For Heat Exhaustion:
Move to a cool, air conditioned environment.
Remove any tight or heavy clothing.
Lower your body temperature by using fans, cold wash cloths, or cold compresses.
Drink water or a sports drink (high in electrolytes) to rehydrate your body.
For Heat Stroke:
Call 911 immediately.
Move the person to an air conditioned environment.
Remove any tight or heavy clothing.
Use fans or cold wash cloths to lower their body temperature, as well as encourage consciousness.
Do NOT give them any fluids.
There you have it, scholars, all of my tips and tricks for the hot Missouri weather. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay curious.
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