In California’s Death Valley National Park, a woman was rescued after she became disoriented and passed out due to the 115-degree heat.
On the morning of July 18th, the woman and a male companion were hiking on the Badlands Loop route, which can be completed in as little as two hours, but they got lost, according to park authorities. At that point, the temperature was already 110 degrees.
The National Park Service reports that the woman’s mobility declined over time. Since there is no mobile service in the area, the man decided to return to the Zabriskie Point trailhead for help.
The temperature climbed to 115 degrees.
Bystanders helped the woman to a parking lot while park rangers made their way to the trailhead. An NPS ambulance cooled her down before transporting her to a landing zone, where she would be met by an air ambulance.
The victim had to be transferred to a specific helicopter landing area because, according to the NPS, certain aircraft cannot operate over 115 degrees. The woman was airlifted to Centennial Hills Hospital in Las Vegas by a Mercy Air chopper.
In the below-sea-level valley, record-breaking summer temperatures coexist with persistent dryness. A dusting of winter snow covers lofty summits. Large areas of wildflowers bloom after infrequent rainstorms. Small fish, animals, and people find sanctuary in verdant havens.
Park authorities offer warnings regarding summer visits to Death Valley National Park.
Determine your heat tolerance and prepare yourself for hot weather.
Do not stray more than ten minutes from any place with air conditioning.
Be sure to avoid hiking at low altitudes after 10 AM, when temperatures tend to rise.
Stay on the well-maintained roadways at all times. Your car may serve as a makeshift shady spot to escape the scorching sun and a means of easier detection by park rangers.
During the day, when temperatures are at their peak, seek shade.
A hat and an umbrella may help you stay cool and protected from the sun.
Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and consume salty foods to keep your electrolyte levels stable.
The temperature at Death Valley National Park hit 128 degrees earlier in July. A temperature of 134 degrees is the record for the park in California.
Across the world, the temperatures in China’s Qaidam Basin may swing widely during the day, from 35 degrees to 147 degrees.